Banned Books for Teens
In 2023, censors around the nation challenged over 4200 titles in school and public libraries. These are the top banned and challenged titles from 2023. If you are reading this from somewhere in the nation where these books have been removed from your school or public library, take a look at our Books Unbanned program, which allows you to access many of these ebooks for free, from anywhere. (Created August 2024)
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Gender Queer
Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought a comic of reading statistics would be the only thing e would ever write, but this book reveals eir journey of self-discovery. This book has been challenged for LGBTQ content and for being sexually explicit.
Format: Graphic Novel
Availability: All copies in use
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All Boys Aren't Blue
Growing up Black and queer, Johnson struggled to reconcile these two aspects of his identity, recounting how his tight-knit family sometimes helped and supported him and sometimes pressured him to be something and someone he was not. This book was challenged for being sexually explicit and including LGBTQ content.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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This Book Is Gay
The author considers this book to be the "instruction manual" for people who have come out or who have questions about their orientation and sexuality.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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The Perks of Being A Wallflower
Published in 1999, this teen classic follows Charlie as he grieves for his best friend after he dies by suicide, finds new friends, and finds his own path forward with the help of a therapist. This book was challenged for LGBTQ content, as well as mention of drugs, rape, and profanity.
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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Flamer
Aiden's time at Boy Scout summer camp is no escape from the bullying he faces at school, although he finds true friendship and explores his growing feelings for his tentmate. This graphic novel has been challenged for LGBTQ content and for being sexually explicit.
Format: Graphic Novel
Availability: Available
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The Bluest Eye
While this book was not expressly written for teens, its story of a Black girl who wishes for blue eyes so she will fit "normal" standards of beauty deals with racism and sexual abuse in a way that may feel uncomfortably familiar to many teens. It has been challenged for scenes of rape and incest, and for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Pushed by his mother to befriend Rachel, a classmate with leukemia, Greg must face his own inability to commit to friendship beyond that of his foul-mouthed buddy Earl. This novel was challenged for being sexually explicit and having profanity.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Let's Talk About It
"A graphic novel about sex, sexuality, gender, body, consent, and many other topics for teens," this book has been challenged for being sexually explicit and including LGBTQ content.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Sold
Thirteen-year-old Lakshmi is sold into prostitution by her wasteful stepfather after monsoons destroy the family's crops. This book has been challenged for being sexually explicit and for depictions of rape.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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