AP Photo
- The American Library Association has released its list of the most frequently challenged books.
- Titles included “All American Boys,” “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You,” and “George.”
- Demands to remove books addressing racism and racial justice grew last year, said the organization.
- See more stories on Insider’s business page.
The American Library Association published the list of the 10 most challenged and banned books in the country for 2020, including “All American Boys,” “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You,” and “George.”
“Demands to remove books addressing racism and racial justice or those that shared the stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color grew in number,” the ALA said.
Here are the 10 titles.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo
“Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message,” said the ALA.
9. “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison
Kathy Willens/AP Photo
“Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse,” said the ALA.
8. “Of Mice and Men,” by John Steinbeck
Anthony Camerano/AP Photo
“Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students,” said the ALA.
7. “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee
Rob Carr/AP Photo
“Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a ‘white savior’ character, and its perception of the Black experience,” said the ALA.
6. “Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice,” by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard. Illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin.
“Challenged for ‘divisive language’ and because it was thought to promote anti-police views,” said the ALA.
5. “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” by Sherman Alexie
Elaine Thompson/AP Photo
“Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author,” said the ALA.
4. “Speak,” by Laurie Halse Anderson
“Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint, it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity,” said the ALA.
3. “All American Boys,” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Simon & Schuster
“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,'” said the ALA.
2. “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You,” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
“Banned and challenged because of the author’s public statements, and because of claims that the book contains ‘selective storytelling incidents’ and does not encompass racism against all people,” said the ALA.
1. “George,” by Alex Gino
Scholastic
“Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting ‘the values of our community,'” said the ALA.
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