'All Boys Aren’t Blue' and 'Gender Queer' top 2024 list of most 'challenged' library books

In its new State of American Libraries Report, the American Library Association found more than 70% of attempted bans of a given title or titles come from organized groups and elected officials.

Removing books from library shelves is no longer just a story of objections from a local community or an individual parent, the American Library Association says.

In its new State of American Libraries Report released Monday, the ALA found more than 70% of attempted bans of a given title or titles come from organized groups and elected officials, and just 16% originated with a parent.

The most commonly criticized books, including Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” and the late Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” can be found on such websites as www.ratedbooks.org and through lists compiled by Moms for Liberty and other conservative activists.

“We can trace many of the challenges to lists of books that have been distributed by Moms for Liberty and other groups,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, who directs the association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

As part of its annual report, the ALA unveiled its list of the 10 most “challenged books” of 2024, starting with George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” and also featuring “Gender Queer,” “The Bluest Eye,” Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and John Green’s “Looking for Alaska.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/most-challenged-library-books-list-2024-rcna199977

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