BostonPL_Banned Books Week 2021: The Most Challenged Books of 2020Like this list

10 items

• George

  Gino, Alex,

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  Reasons: Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community.”

• Stamped

  Racism, Antiracism, and You

  Reynolds, Jason,

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  Reasons: Banned and challenged because of author’s public statements, and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people.

• All American Boys

  Reynolds, Jason,

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  Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now.”

• Speak

  Anderson, Laurie Halse,

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  Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity.

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

  Alexie, Sherman, 1966-

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  Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author.

• Something Happened in Our Town

  a Child's Story About Racial Injustice

  Celano, Marianne,

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  Reasons: Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views.

• To Kill a Mockingbird

  Lee, Harper

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  Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience.

• Of Mice and Men

  Steinbeck, John, 1902-1968

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  Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students.

• The Bluest Eye

  Morrison, Toni

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  Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.

• The Hate U Give

  Thomas, Angie,

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  Reasons: Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message.