With over 821 censorship attempts in 2024, these five 2SLGBTQI+ books are no stranger to the American Library Association’s annual list…
In what has become a “highly anticipated” annual list according to a press release, the American Library Association (ALA) revealed its “Top 10 Most Challenged Books” list for 2024. Last year, there were 821 attempts to censor books and materials according to ALA data, a decrease of 34 per cent from the previous year. The report also found 72 per cent of these censorship demands came from “pressure groups” and government entities.
The ALA recorded attempts to remove 2,452 unique titles, which it says “significantly exceeds the average.” The most common reasons books were challenged include “false claims of illegal obscenity for minors, inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and dealing with topics of race, racism, inclusivity, equality and social justice.”
Many of the listed books have become regulars, frequently targeted over the years. Of the 10 titles featured, half have some sort of 2SLGBTQI+ theme or character and were all featured on the 2023 list. Aside from 2SLGBTQI+ themes all of the titles have been cited for sexually explicit content. They include:
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson. The top challenged book of 2024, which was second in 2023, is a series of personal essays by prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson. The book explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia.
- Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe. Appearing on the list for a fourth time, this book fell from first to second place. The award-winning graphic memoir follows the self-identifying journey of the author as gender queer looking at the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and more.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Moving up one spot to tie for third, this 1999 book follows Charlie, an introverted and observant teenager, through his freshman year of high school in a Pittsburgh suburb. It has also been flagged for mentions of rape and drugs.
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins. Moving up two spots to number five on this year’s list, Hopkin’s novel follows five troubled teenage protagonists and tackles issues of sexual activity and drug use. It discussion on topics like drugs and rape have also been cited by challengers.
- Flamer by Mike Curato. This title dropped to the bottom of the list after ranking fifth in 2023. The story follows Aiden Navarro as he enters a self-discovery journey, navigating friendships, dealing with bullies, and spending time with a boy he can’t stop thinking about.
Challenging books isn’t something unique to the United States. In Canada, The Canadian Library Challenges Database, organized by the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, provides information about the challenges libraries face here. It highlights the item, the nature of the objection, and the requested remedy; the record of the review of the challenged item undertaken by the library (where available); and the library’s response.
A quick search finds that three of the 2SLGBTQI+ themed titles on the ALA’s list have also been challenged in Canada. They include All Boys Aren’t Blue (challenged in 2022 and 2023), Gender Queer: A Memoir (challenged from 2021-2023) and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (challenged this year). All books were asked to be removed, but were retained.
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