10 most challenged books of 2019

The American Library Association tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. Overall, 566 books were targeted. Here are the “Top 10 Most Challenged Books in 2019,” along with the reasons cited for censoring the books:

1. George by Alex Gino 

Challenged, banned, restricted, and hidden to avoid controversy; for LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender character; because schools and libraries should not “put books in a child’s hand that require discussion”; for sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and “traditional family structure”

2. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin 

Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, for “its effect on any young people who would read it,” and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased

3. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Banned and challenged for profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones”

4. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller 

Challenged and vandalized for LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints, for concerns that it is “designed to pollute the morals of its readers,” and for not including a content warning

5. Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier 

Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against “family values/ morals”

6. Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth 

Challenged, banned, and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were “inappropriate” 

7. Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling 

Banned and forbidden from discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals

8. Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis 

Challenged and restricted for featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content; for being “a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children” with the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint

9. I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged”

10. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole 

Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content