17 Famous Books America Tried to Ban

Tracking banned books in the United States is not always simple. Book challenges and bans are often decided locally, usually by school districts, library boards, or state-level policies, which means the rules can vary widely from one community to the next.

Over the years, even some of the most widely read and celebrated books have faced bans or challenges in certain parts of the country. Classics taught in classrooms, bestselling fantasy series, and political allegories have all been pulled from shelves at different points, often sparking larger debates about education, censorship, parental rights, and free expression.

But book bans are not just part of the past. In recent years, disputes over what students should be allowed to read have become a major cultural flashpoint across the country. To look at which titles have been targeted most recently, 24/7 Tempo reviewed available reporting and book-ban tracking data to identify 17 books that have faced bans or restrictions in America.

• Author: Ellen Hopkins
• Pages: 576
• Bans: 74

“Identical” by Ellen Hopkins is a young adult novel written in Hopkins’ signature verse style, following identical twin sisters whose seemingly perfect family is hiding abuse, trauma, and deep emotional damage. The book has been challenged and banned largely because of its explicit subject matter, including sexual abuse, incest, self-harm, drug and alcohol use, profanity, and family violence. Supporters argue that the novel gives voice to real teen trauma, while critics have objected to its content being available in school libraries

• Author: Jodi Picoult
• Pages: 455
• Bans: 98

“Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult follows the aftermath of a school shooting in a small New Hampshire town, exploring bullying, trauma, family pressure, and the warning signs people miss. The book has often been challenged because of sexual content, profanity, violence, bullying, suicide, and a scene involving sexual assault.

• Author: John Green
• Pages: 297
• Bans: 97

“Looking for Alaska” by John Green follows a teenage boy who enrolls at boarding school and becomes drawn into a tight circle of friends, first love, grief, and self-discovery. It has frequently been challenged for sexual content, underage drinking and smoking, profanity, and behavior some critics consider inappropriate for young readers.

• Author: Stephen Chbosky
• Pages: 259
• Bans: 85

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky is a coming-of-age novel told through letters by Charlie, a sensitive high school freshman dealing with friendship, trauma, mental health, and belonging. The book has been challenged for its frank treatment of sex, drug use, suicide, abuse, and profanity.

• Author: Patricia McCormick
• Pages: 262
• Bans: 85

“Sold” by Patricia McCormick tells the story of a young girl from Nepal who is trafficked into sexual slavery and must fight to survive. The book has been banned or challenged largely because of its disturbing subject matter, including child trafficking, sexual exploitation, abuse, and violence, even though supporters argue it brings attention to a real human rights issue.

• Author: Jay Asher
• Pages: 288
• Bans: 76

“Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher centers on a teenage girl who dies by suicide and leaves behind recordings explaining the events and people she connects to her decision. It has been challenged for its depiction of suicide, along with sexual content, drug and alcohol references, bullying, and concerns that the subject matter may be too intense for teens.

• Author: Ellen Hopkins
• Pages: 537
• Bans: 76

“Crank” by Ellen Hopkins is a novel in verse about a teenage girl’s descent into meth addiction and the damage it does to her family, identity, and future. It has often been challenged for drug use, explicit language, teen sexuality, violence, and other mature themes.

• Author: Khaled Hosseini
• Pages: 371
• Bans: 73

“The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini follows two boys growing up in Afghanistan and traces themes of friendship, betrayal, guilt, war, and redemption across decades. The book has been challenged for sexual violence, graphic content, language, and objections related to its religious and cultural themes.

• Author: Margaret Atwood
• Pages: 311
• Bans: 67

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood imagines a dystopian future where a theocratic regime strips women of rights and forces some into reproductive servitude. It has been challenged for sexual content, violence, profanity, and political or religious themes, though it remains one of the most widely studied modern dystopian novels.

• Author: Sara Gruen
• Pages: 331
• Bans: 66

“Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen follows a young man who joins a traveling circus during the Great Depression and becomes caught in a complicated world of romance, cruelty, spectacle, and survival. The book has faced bans or challenges because of sexual content, language, violence, and mature adult themes.

• Author: Ellen Hopkins
• Pages: 640
• Bans: 66

“Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins follows several teenagers whose lives intersect through exploitation, survival, family conflict, and risky choices. The book has been challenged for sexual content, sex work, drug use, sexual abuse, suicide, and LGBTQ+ themes.

Adult and young adult books aren't the only ones that are banned. Children's picture books also get banned. These titles were banned in multiple districts during the 2023 - 2024 school year.

• Authors: Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
• Illustrator: Henry Cole
• Bans: 7

“And Tango Makes Three” by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson is based on the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who bond as a pair and help hatch and raise a chick. It has long been challenged because it depicts a same-sex animal family, which some critics object to in children’s books

• Author: Todd Parr
• Illustrator: Todd Parr
• Bans: 5

“The Family Book” by Todd Parr introduces children to many kinds of families, including families with one parent, two moms or two dads, adopted children, stepfamilies, and other household structures. It has been challenged mostly because of its inclusive portrayal of LGBTQ+ families and nontraditional family arrangements.

• Author: Jessica Love
• Illustrator: Jessica Love
• Bans: 5

“Julián Is a Mermaid” by Jessica Love follows a young boy who is inspired by women dressed as mermaids and imagines expressing himself in a similarly beautiful, creative way. The book has been challenged because of gender expression themes and its celebration of a child exploring identity through clothing and imagination.

• Author: Kyle Lukoff
• Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita
• Bans: 4

“When Aidan Became a Brother” by Kyle Lukoff tells the story of a transgender boy preparing to become a big brother while his family makes room for love, change, and acceptance. It has been challenged because it includes a transgender child and discusses gender identity in a picture book format.

• Author: Eric Carle
• Illustrator: Eric Carle
• Bans: 4

“Draw Me a Star” by Eric Carle follows an artist as he creates a star, a sun, people, and other parts of the world through simple, dreamlike illustrations. The book has been challenged in part because of a brief image of a nude man and woman, which some critics have considered inappropriate for young children.