Gender Queer: a Memoir by ISBN: 9781549304002(1.) Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and for having explicit images
All Boys Aren't Blue by ISBN: 9780374312718(2.) Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and for being sexually explicit
The Bluest Eye by ISBN: 9780307278449(3.) Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit
Looking for Alaska by ISBN: 9780142402511(5. tie) Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by ISBN: 9780671027346(5. tie) Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
Lawn Boy by ISBN: 9781616209230(7.) Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (National Book Award Winner) by ISBN: 9780316013697(8.) Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
Out of Darkness by ISBN: 9780823445035(9.) Challenged for: depictions of abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit
A Court of Mist and Fury by ISBN: 9781619635197(10. tie) Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (Revised Edition) by ISBN: 9781419719608(10. tie) Challenged for: profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit
This Book Is Gay by ISBN: 9781728254326(10. tie) Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, providing sexual education, claimed to be sexually explicit
Welcome
Welcome to Pima's guide to Banned Books! Have you ever wondered why and how books get challenged and banned? This LibGuide will help you to understand the whole process. The tabs above will guide you to learn more about book censorship and our right to read what we want. All books are linked to the catalog records so you can easily see what campus has the book and if it is available. This is not a comprehensive list of all Banned Books at Pima, but instead highlights specific titles. If you are looking for a specific title not listed please search for it in our catalog.
Web Resources for Challenged and Banned Books
- American Library Association: Banned & Challenged BooksALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.
- Banned Books WeekBanned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
- Comic Book Legal Defense FundComic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.
- EveryLibraryEveryLibrary is the first and only national political action committee for libraries. We are a gold-rated non-profit organization that helps public, school, and college libraries secure new funding through tax and advisory referendum, bonds elections, negotiations with school boards, and advocacy at municipal, state, and federal levels. Our primary goal is to ensure stable funding and access to libraries for generations to come. We are a registered non-profit in the state of Illinois and have received 501(c)4 designation by the IRS as a social welfare organization. EveryLibrary welcomes contributions from individuals, corporate, union, and political donors to advance our work.
- Fight for the FirstFight for the First draws on the power of people like you to create a movement against book bans.
- FreeMuseFreemuse (freemuse.org) is an independent international non-governmental organisation advocating for freedom of artistic expression and cultural diversity. Freemuse has United Nations Special Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council (UN-ECOSOC) and Consultative Status with UNESCO.
- Index on CensorshipIndex on Censorship is a nonprofit that campaigns for and defends free expression worldwide. We publish work by censored writers and artists, promote debate, and monitor threats to free speech. We believe that everyone should be free to express themselves without fear of harm or persecution – no matter what their views. Index’s aim is to raise awareness about threats to free expression and the value of free speech as the first step to tackling censorship.
- Intellectual Freedom: Issues and ResourcesALA actively advocates and educates in defense of intellectual freedom—the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Intellectual freedom is a core value of the library profession, and a basic right in our democratic society. A publicly supported library provides free, equitable, and confidential access to information for all people of its community.
- Kids Right to Read ProjectThe Kids’ Right to Read Project (KRRP) is a signature part of NCAC’s Youth Free Expression Program. KRRP offers support, education, and direct advocacy to people facing book challenges or bans in schools and libraries and engages local activists in promoting the freedom to read. It was co-founded with the American Booksellers for Free Expression and is supported in part by the American Booksellers for Free Expression and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
- National Coalition Against CensorshipEvery generation of Americans faces new and significant challenges to free expression. For almost 50 years, NCAC has acted as a first responder to protect this freedom, which is both a fundamental human right and a keystone of democracy in the ever-changing American nation. We promote freedom of thought and inquiry and oppose censorship. When controversy occurs, we encourage and facilitate dialogue between divergent voices and perspectives, including those that have historically been silenced.
- NCTE: Rationales for Teaching Challenged BooksRich resource section included table of contents of NCTE’s Rationales for Commonly Challenged Books CD-ROM, an alphabetical list of other rationales on file, the SLATE Starter Sheet on “How to Write a Rationale,” and sample rationales for Bridge to Terabithia and The Color Purple.
- NCTE: Student's Right to ReadThe Students’ Right to Read provides resources that can be used to help discuss and ensure students’ free access to all texts. The genesis of the Students’ Right to Read was an original Council statement, “Request for Reconsideration of a Work,” prepared by the Committee on the Right to Read of the National Council of Teachers of English and revised by Ken Donelson. The current Students’ Right to Read statement represents an updated second edition that builds on the work of Council members dedicated to ensuring students the freedom to choose to read any text and opposing “efforts of individuals or groups to limit the freedom of choice of others.” Supported through references from text challenges and links to resources, this statement discusses the history and dangers of text censorship which highlight the breadth and significance of the Students’ Right to Read. The statement then culminates in processes that can be followed with different stakeholders when students’ reading rights are infringed.
- Pen AmericaPEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
- PEN America's Index of School Book BansA spreadsheet used to document bans from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022
- Take Action for LibrariesTake a moment and add your name to the growing list of library supporters in the United States.
- Unite Against Book BansUnited Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
- We Believe in EducationPUBLIC EDUCATION is a cornerstone of our democracy and the key to our country’s future.
A strong public education has the power to not only teach our kids math and reading, but also prepare them to be good citizens, community members, and future leaders of a diverse and great country. We believe that every child has the right to a public education—that every child, no matter their race or background or identity, should be able to succeed in the classroom and feel safe and supported in school.
Want to see what books have been banned?
Check out these American Library Association lists to see the top 100 books by decade that have been banned and challenged over time! They compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools.
By Decade:
Have a question? Ask one of our helpful librarians through our chatting service!