# The Most Challenged/Censored Books in American Libraries **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [June 1, 2023, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-challenged-censored-books-in-american-libraries/984857 "2023-06-01T03:50:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-challenged-censored-books-in-american-libraries/984857/1 "2023-06-01T03:50:11Z")
> **[Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022](https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10)** > > The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to defend each person's right to read under the First Amendment and ensure free access to information. Every year, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top... The only title I recognize is _The Bluest Eye_ by Toni Morrison [I haven’t read it]. Most common reason seems to be sexually explicit, frequently with LGBTQIA+ content. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-challenged-censored-books-in-american-libraries/984857/2 "2023-06-01T13:56:40Z")
I recognize some of them. Many of them are YA novels. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-challenged-censored-books-in-american-libraries/984857/3 "2023-06-01T17:04:38Z")
I’ve only read The Bluest Eye, but have heard of a bunch of them. (did see the dying girl movie though) ---
**Author:** ![NinthAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ninthacolyte/32/13676_2.png) [@NinthAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinthAcolyte)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-challenged-censored-books-in-american-libraries/984857/4 "2023-06-01T17:24:20Z")
LGBTQ content is the primary reason, but a close second is discussion of race. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-challenged-censored-books-in-american-libraries/984857/5 "2023-06-01T21:02:54Z")
On behalf of _To Kill a Mockingbird_ and _Adventures of Huckleberry Finn_, I protest. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-challenged-censored-books-in-american-libraries/984857/6 "2023-06-02T00:27:19Z")
Almost all of them are young adult novels, and of recent publication. Not surprising that people don’t even recognize them – that’s pretty far from the average demographic of dopers here! ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-challenged-censored-books-in-american-libraries/984857/7 "2023-06-02T00:33:32Z")
It makes sense that they’re mostly YA books. The censorship battle in the US is mostly fought in school libraries.