The American Library Association released its annual list of the top 10 most frequently challenged books this week, based on media reports and reports of complaints in schools and libraries filed with the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. This coming-of-age tale about a teen who falls in love at boarding school has been challenged for offensive language and being sexually explicit.
America's most challenged books of 2015 —
The American Library Association released its annual list of the top 10 most frequently challenged books this week, based on media reports and reports of complaints in schools and libraries filed with the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. This coming-of-age tale about a teen who falls in love at boarding school has been challenged for offensive language and being sexually explicit.
Speak
The story of a love affair infused with kinky sex made its debut on the ALA's list of most challenged books in 2012 for the same reasons cited this year: sexually explicit content and being unsuited to certain age groups. Other reasons included "poorly written" and concerns that teens "will want to try it."
"Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James —
The story of a love affair infused with kinky sex made its debut on the ALA's list of most challenged books in 2012 for the same reasons cited this year: sexually explicit content and being unsuited to certain age groups. Other reasons included "poorly written" and concerns that teens "will want to try it."
Vintage Books
The big book was the subject of several challenges for its "religious viewpoint."
"The Holy Bible" —
The big book was the subject of several challenges for its "religious viewpoint."
Zondervan
Teen reality star Jazz Jennings's story about coming out as transgender came under scrutiny for portraying homosexuality and sex education, as well for its religious viewpoint and being inaccurate, though it is unclear what that means..
"I am Jazz" by Jazz Jennings —
Teen reality star Jazz Jennings's story about coming out as transgender came under scrutiny for portraying homosexuality and sex education, as well for its religious viewpoint and being inaccurate, though it is unclear what that means..
Dial Books
This collection of stories from six transgender or gender-neutral young adults was called out for being "anti-family" and containing offensive language and depicting homosexuality, sex education, political viewpoint and religious viewpoint.
"Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out" by Susan Kuklin —
This collection of stories from six transgender or gender-neutral young adults was called out for being "anti-family" and containing offensive language and depicting homosexuality, sex education, political viewpoint and religious viewpoint.
Candlewick
Reasons cited in challenges to this 2003 mystery novel featuring a main character with thought to have Asperger's syndrome included "offensive language, religious viewpoint and unsuited for age group.
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon —
Reasons cited in challenges to this 2003 mystery novel featuring a main character with thought to have Asperger's syndrome included "offensive language, religious viewpoint and unsuited for age group.
Vintage
The coming-out story in graphic novel form was challenged for reasons including violence and its use of "graphic images."
"Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel —
The coming-out story in graphic novel form was challenged for reasons including violence and its use of "graphic images."
Turtleback Books 2007
Another graphic novel, this time, set in an Islamic fairy tale landscape, "Habibi" tells the story of two escaped child slaves who grow to love each other. Reasons cited in challenges included nudity, sexually explicit content and being unsuited for age group.
"Habibi" by Craig Thompson —
Another graphic novel, this time, set in an Islamic fairy tale landscape, "Habibi" tells the story of two escaped child slaves who grow to love each other. Reasons cited in challenges included nudity, sexually explicit content and being unsuited for age group.
Pantheon
Based on a true story about a child whose parents are taken away by the Taliban, this book was challenged for its religious viewpoint, being unsuited to age group and depicting violence.
"Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan" by Jeanette Winter —
Based on a true story about a child whose parents are taken away by the Taliban, this book was challenged for its religious viewpoint, being unsuited to age group and depicting violence.
Beach Lane Books
As the title suggests, "Two Boys Kissing" is about two boys trying to set a new world record for kissing. It was challenged for homosexuality and because it "condones public displays of affection."
"Two Boys Kissing" by David Levithan —
As the title suggests, "Two Boys Kissing" is about two boys trying to set a new world record for kissing. It was challenged for homosexuality and because it "condones public displays of affection."
Egmont