21 commonly banned books in 2021, and the reasons why

Collage of commonly banned books, including To Kill A Mockingbird, The Handmaid's Tale, and George 4x3
Frequently banned books include "The Handmaid's Tale," "George," and "To Kill a Mockingbird." Amazon; Rachel Mendelson/Insider

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  • Hundreds of books are challenged and banned every year by parents, schools, and organizations.
  • The American Library Association tracks which books are banned and for what reasons.
  • Books are commonly banned for LGBTQIA+ content or dissenting political viewpoints.
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For centuries educators, religious organizations, and parents have long sought to control what children and adults read by banning literature. Books are challenged as an attempt to restrict materials, with claims commonly based on opposing political viewpoints, explicit content, LGBTQIA+ content, or violence. 

The American Library Association (ALA) is an organization that advocates for diversity, inclusion, and education. Its Office for Intellectual Freedom monitors and assembles data about banned and challenged books in the US, culminating in Banned Books Week — an event that celebrates freedom in reading. In this list, we used data from the ALA to compile some of the most banned and challenged books of the past three years. 

21 commonly banned books in 2021:

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"George" by Alex Gino

"George" by Alex Gino book cover
Amazon

"George" by Alex Gino, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $6.99

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "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."

"Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

"Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" book cover
Amazon

"Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You" by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.99

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "The author's public statements, and because of claims that the book contains 'selective storytelling incidents' and does not encompass racism against all people."

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"All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

"All American Boys" book cover
Amazon

"All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $5.07

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "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" by Laurie Halse Anderson

"Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson
Amazon

"Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $9.68

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "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."

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"Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice" by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin

"Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice" book cover
Amazon

"Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice" by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.38

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "'Divisive language' and because it was thought to promote anti-police views."

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee book cover
Amazon

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.19

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "Racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a 'white savior' character, and its perception of the Black experience."

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"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck book cover
Amazon

"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.18

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "Racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students."

"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison book cover
Amazon

"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $9.43

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "It was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse."

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"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas book cover
Amazon

"The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.98

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "Profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message."

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

"Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out" by Susan Kuklin book cover
Amazon

"Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out" by Susan Kuklin, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.52

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "LGBTQIA+ content, for 'its effect on any young people who would read it,' and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased."

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

"A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo" by Jill Twiss
Amazon

"A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo" by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.99

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "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."

Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and You by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth

"Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and You" by Cory Silverberg book cover
Amazon

"Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and You by Cory Silverberg, illustrated" by Fiona Smyth, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $21.56

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were 'inappropriate.'"

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"Prince & Knight" by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis

"Prince & Knight" by Daniel Haack book cover
Amazon

"Prince & Knight" by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.27

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "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."

"I Am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

"I Am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings book cover
Amazon

"I Am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $15.99

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is 'sensitive, controversial, and politically charged.'"

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"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood book cover
Amazon

"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.99

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "Profanity and for 'vulgarity and sexual overtones.'"

"Drama" by Raina Telgemeier

"Drama" written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier book cover
Amazon

"Drama" written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.17

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against 'family values/morals.'"

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The "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling,
Amazon

The "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $50.14

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "For referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use "nefarious means" to attain goals."

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

"And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson book cover
Amazon

"And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.35

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "LGBTQIA+ content."

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The "Captain Underpants" series by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants series book cover
Amazon

The "Captain Underpants" series, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $23.95

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "Series was challenged because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, while 'Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot' was challenged for including a same-sex couple."

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asheri

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asheri book cover
Amazon

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asheri, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.39

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "Addressing teen suicide."

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"This One Summer" by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamakiavailable

"This One Summer" by Mariko Tamaki book cover
Amazon

"This One Summer" by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamakiavailable at Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.49

Reasons for being banned, restricted, or challenged: "Profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations."

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