Book Bans (2021-2023)
Book bans surged 2021-2023 in U.S. schools and libraries, with 2,500+ titles challenged—the highest numbers since the 1980s. Conservative groups targeted LGBTQ+ themes, race discussions, and sexual content, sparking First Amendment battles.
Targeted Books
Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” (graphic memoir), George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue” (LGBTQ+ memoir), and Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” topped ban lists. Coordinatd groups like Moms for Liberty submitted identical challenge forms district-wide, overwhelming librarians.
Cultural War
Red states (Texas, Florida, Missouri) passed laws restricting “sexually explicit” or “divisive” materials, broadly interpreted. Teachers faced felony charges for shelving banned books. Librarians quit en masse. Blue states passed “freedom to read” protections.
Response
Authors, publishers, and readers fought back with banned book displays, social media campaigns, and legal challenges. The American Library Association tracked challenges. Ironically, banned books saw sales surges—censorship became marketing.
Sources: https://www.ala.org/ • https://pen.org/report/banned-usa-growing-movement-to-censor-books-in-schools/