Banned Books Week is Held September 22-28, 2024

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Typically (but not always) held during the last week of September, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.

The next Banned Books Week will be held September 22-28, 2024. The theme of this year’s event is Freed Between the Lines.

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country. The Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 are:

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity

Flamer by Mike Curato

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Reasons: Depiction of rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content

(TIE) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, depiction of rape, LGBTQIA+ content

(TIE) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity

Let’s Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan

Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, depiction of rape

The 2025 edition of Banned Books Week will take place October 5 – 11, 2025.