The American Library Association released its list of the most frequently banned or challenged books of 2022, with Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer again taking the top spot.
Unlike previous years, the new list features 13 titles, instead of the usual 10. Four books tied for the No. 10 spot.
Gender Queer, Kobabe’s graphic memoir about growing up nonbinary and asexual was the most banned book of the year; challenges focused on its LGBTQ+ and sexual content. It was also the No. 1 most challenged book of 2021.
George M. Johnson’s LGBTQ+-themed “memoir-manifesto” All Boys Aren’t Blue took the No. 2 spot, up from No. 3 in 2021. Toni Morrison’s classic novel The Bluest Eye was No. 3 on the new list, followed by Mike Curato’s Flamer at No. 4.
John Green’s Looking for Alaska and Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower tied for No. 5, while Jonathan Evison’s Lawn Boy was at No. 7. Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian took the No. 8 spot, followed by Ashley Hope Pérez’s Out of Darkness at No. 9.
The books tied for No. 10 were Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Mist and Fury, Ellen Hopkins’ Crank, Jesse Andrews’ Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and Juno Dawson’s This Book Is Gay.
In a news release, ALA President Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada praised the the authors, “whose work challenges readers with stories that disrupt the status quo and offer fresh perspectives on tough issues.”
“The list also illustrates how frequently stories by or about LGBTQ+ persons, people of color, and lived experiences are being targeted by censors,” Pelayo-Lozada said. “Closing our eyes to the reality portrayed in these stories will not make life’s challenges disappear. Books give us courage and help us understand each other.”
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
