Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Challenged for: anti-ethnic, anti-family, insensitivity, offensive language, occult/satanic, violence
In the dystopian nation of Panem, the Capitol enforces control by hosting the Hunger Games, a deadly competition where teens fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place, thrusting herself into a brutal fight for survival. To win, she must navigate impossible choices between survival, humanity, and love.
I Am Jazz by Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, sensitive topic, fear of indoctrination, age-appropriateness
Based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, this story follows a transgender child who knew from a young age that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. Through simple, heartfelt storytelling, Jazz shares her journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and advocacy, inspiring kids and adults alike. At just thirteen, Jazz became a spokesperson for transgender youth, sharing her story through books, TV appearances, and public speaking.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Challenged for: racial language, white savior narrative, lack of diverse perspectives, mature themes
A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores human behavior through the eyes of a child in a racially divided Southern town. Compassionate and deeply moving, it delves into themes of innocence, justice, and morality. Now a literary classic, Harper Lee’s masterpiece continues to resonate worldwide.
Bone (series) by Jeff Smith
Challenged for: violence, racism, political viewpoint
After being exiled from Boneville, the three Bone cousins—Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone—become lost in a mysterious valley full of strange and magical creatures. Blending humor, adventure, and mystery, Bone is a thrilling saga about navigating the unknown. Perfect for anyone who has ever ventured into a world beyond their comfort zone.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Challenged for: alcoholism, sexuality and poverty themes
A powerful memoir of resilience, capturing Jeannette Walls’ upbringing in a deeply dysfunctional yet vibrant family. With a brilliant but flawed father and a free-spirited mother, the Walls children learned to fend for themselves, eventually building successful lives despite their parents’ struggles. It’s a poignant story of hardship, love, and redemption.
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content
Follows Harry and Craig, two teens attempting a 32-hour kissing marathon to set a world record, narrated by the voices of a generation lost to AIDS. As their kiss draws attention, it intersects with the lives of other LGBTQ+ teens navigating love, identity, and acceptance. This poignant story weaves resilience, connection, and self-discovery.
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, political views, religious views, sexually explicit, bias
Tells the heartwarming story of a lonely bunny who finds love and companionship with another male bunny, exploring themes of same-sex marriage and inclusivity. With humor, charm, and vibrant illustrations, this book delivers a message of acceptance and equality for kids and adults alike. A nationwide hit, it envisions a world filled with love and tolerance.
Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg
Challenged for: sex education, LGBTQIA+ content, suicide
A groundbreaking comic book for kids ages 8 to 10, exploring bodies, gender, and sexuality in an inclusive and engaging way. Designed to spark conversations between children and caregivers, it covers topics like boundaries, safety, and joy while encouraging the sharing of values and beliefs. Created by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth, it redefines the “sex talk” for modern families.
Alice McKinley (series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Challenged for: offensive language, sexual content, nudity, religious viewpoint, age-appropriateness
Soon-to-be teenager Alice McKinley navigates life’s embarrassments while longing for a role model after her mother’s passing. When her sixth-grade teacher turns out to be far from her ideal, Alice learns through journaling, new friendships, and family connections that wisdom comes from unexpected places. By year’s end, she’s ready to embrace her teenage years with newfound confidence.
It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris
Challenged for: age-appropriateness, visual representation, religious viewpoints
Provides clear, unbiased answers to young people’s questions about sex, covering topics like puberty, conception, birth control, and health. Updated for its tenth anniversary, this trusted resource includes the latest information on issues like HIV, adoption, and more. Used worldwide, it empowers readers to make informed, responsible decisions.
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Challenged for: depiction of a school shooting
Delves into the aftermath of a shocking act of violence in a small New Hampshire town, unraveling the complex relationships and secrets that led to the tragedy. As the trial unfolds, the community grapples with questions of guilt, justice, and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. With raw honesty, the novel explores what it means to be different, the mysteries of parent-child relationships, and the far-reaching impact of a single moment.
Scary Stories (series) by Alvin Schwartz
Challenged for: violence, disturbing subject matter, graphic illustrations, unrealistic view of death, light way the stories deal with death
A chilling collection of eerie folklore, filled with tales of ghosts, vengeful spirits, and haunted places that will leave readers trembling. With over two dozen spine-tingling stories and creepy songs, paired with Stephen Gammell’s haunting illustrations, this book is perfect for those who dare to read or tell tales in the dark.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Challenged for: sexual assault content, explicit language, perceived bias against males, age appropriateness
Tells the story of Melinda, an outcast in high school after she is shunned for calling the cops on a party where she was raped. As she isolates herself, her art class becomes her only outlet, where she eventually confronts the trauma and learns to fight back. A powerful narrative of silence, healing, and self-empowerment, Speak addresses the challenges of speaking out in a hypocritical world.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Challenged for: obscenity, anti-religious & anti-family values, sexual content, racism, themes of negativity, dystopian setting
A dystopian classic that explores a future society where humans are genetically engineered, socially conditioned, and drugged into compliance, sacrificing freedom and individuality. Set against the backdrop of rising fascism in the 1930s, the novel remains strikingly relevant today, offering a chilling critique of mass entertainment, technology, and the control exerted by powerful elites.
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, sexual content, offensive language, age group, political and religious viewpoints
Offers an intimate look at the lives of six transgender and gender-neutral teens, capturing their personal journeys through interviews and striking photographs. The book explores their struggles, triumphs, and the diverse experiences of gender identity, revealing the emotional depth of each teen’s transition and the impact on their families. With candid storytelling and powerful visuals, it provides a respectful and insightful perspective on the transgender experience.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Challenged for: racial slurs, vulgar language, depiction of violence, social commentary
Tells the poignant story of George and Lennie, two migrant workers during the Great Depression who dream of owning a piece of land. As they work on a ranch in California, their hope seems within reach, but Lennie’s innocence and unpredictability lead to tragic consequences. A powerful exploration of friendship, loneliness, and the fragility of dreams, this novel remains one of America’s most enduring classics.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Challenged for: sexual content, Anti-Christian, political messaging, LGBTQ+ protagonists
A powerful and unforgettable dystopian novel set in the Republic of Gilead, a theocratic society that enforces extreme patriarchal control in response to social unrest and a declining birthrate. The story follows Offred, a Handmaid forced into reproductive servitude, as she navigates a brutal regime that twists the Bible’s teachings. A haunting blend of satire, warning, and gripping narrative, the novel explores the consequences of oppression, resonating with contemporary concerns about power, gender, and autonomy.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Challenged for: Graphic content, profanity, political viewpoint
Follows sixteen-year-old Starr Carter, who navigates life between her poor neighborhood and her suburban prep school. Her world is turned upside down when she witnesses the police shooting of her unarmed childhood friend, Khalil. As his death sparks protests and media controversy, Starr must decide whether to speak out, risking her safety and community in the fight for justice. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, the novel is a powerful exploration of race, identity, and courage.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
Challenged for: nudity, suicide, portrayal of OCD, discussion of sexual relations between minors and adults
A graphic memoir that explores the complex relationship between the author and her late father, Bruce, an English teacher and funeral home director. Alison’s discovery, in college, that her father was gay, shortly before his death, unravels a family mystery that she seeks to understand through her own coming-out experience. The memoir poignantly examines identity, family secrets, and the search for truth.
It’s a Book by Lane Smith
Challenged for: profanity
Playful and lighthearted, with a signature subversive twist, It’s a Book by Lane Smith is a charming declaration in support of print in the digital age. This well-crafted picture book offers a message that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
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