18 of America's Most Commonly Banned Books That Deserve a Spot on Your Shelf

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Ray Bradbury's 1953 masterpiece Fahrenheit 451, depicts a dystopian society in which books are dangerous, illegal commodities — and it feels more prescient with every passing year.

In 2023, book bans — calling for the removal of books from school and public libraries so readers can't access them — largely affects books written by or about people of color or books by and about the LGBTQ+ community. Those who want these books taken off library shelves call them obscene, inappropriate or fear their children will discover something in the pages that challenges a worldview their parents or guardians might not share.

Book bans aren't new, but they have gained momentum in the United States over the past couple of years. Recently, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom released preliminary data that reports 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and challenges to 1,915 unique books. That represents a 20% increase over 2022, which reached the highest number of book challenges since ALA began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. PEN America also tracked school book bans specifically and found 3,362 book bans affecting 1,557 unique titles during the 2022-23 school year, an increase of 33% from the 2021-22 school year.

While it can be scary when your kids read or watch something that makes them see the world in a new way, it's also essential for a free and equitable society that young people — make that all people — have access to books that show them there's more than one way to be in the world. Reading diverse books also improves literacy. A recent diverse books impact study conducted by the Diverse Books for All Coalition showed that when kids can see themselves in books, they collectively read four or more hours a week and demonstrate a grade-point increase 3+ percentage points higher than the national average.

Below are some of the books that have been most frequently challenged for removal from libraries and other public-access spaces in 2023, according to the ALA and PEN America. One of the best things individuals can do is buy these books. Read them. Share them. Cherish what you find there. Because, as Bradbury put it, "Books were only one type of receptacle where we stored a lot of things we were afraid we might forget." And we can't afford to forget this part of our humanity.

'All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto' by George M. Johnson

This thoughtful and open memoir about what it's like growing up as a queer Black boy tackles gender identity, toxic masculinity, sex and consent, family and so much more. It's an introduction to how to support LGBTQ+ loved ones, as well as navigating one's own identity.

'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins

Five teens from different races, economic and family backgrounds, sexual orientations and genders are all struggling to find their place in the world amidst some impossible circumstances. As their stories converge into one larger, even more powerful one, they find out more about love, sex, power and the meaning of family.

'Flamer' by Mike Curato

"I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel... unsafe," writes Aiden, the young narrator of this book. He's at camp the summer between middle and high school and trying to navigate bullying, a first crush and figuring out who he is, alongside a lot of other kids doing the same.

'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison

This gorgeous novel from the Nobel Prize-winning author is all about a little Black girl who yearns for the blue eyes that the America she lives in treasures. It's a story about self-acceptance, race and gender that illuminates important and complex issues with lyrical grace.

RELATED: Best Books by Black Authors

'Looking For Alaska' by John Green

A teenager named Miles leaves his comfortable home for boarding school to seek "the great perhaps," a concept that many teens feel instinctively. There, he meets a girl named Alaska who introduces him to a life he never imagined. It's sad, funny, shocking and absolutely beautiful.

'Lawn Boy' by Jonathan Evison

Mike Muñoz is waiting for his life to get started, but still isn't exactly sure what that means. He graduated from high school a few years back and has just been fired from a landscaping crew so he embarks on a journey to find his next move. Along the way, he might just find out who he's meant to be.

'A Court of Mist and Fury' by Sarah J. Maas

The sequel to A Court of Thorns and Roses, this book follows the conflicted Feyre, who has to navigate a web of politics, darkness and passion as she figures out how to harness her powers to help shape her own future and that of a threatened world.

'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie

Hilarious, heartbreaking and poignant, this is the story of Junior, who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation where he lives to attend an all-white school in town. With illustrations that reflect the budding cartoonist's work, this National Book Award-winner is a visual treat as well as a literary one.

'Out of Darkness' by Ashley Hope Pérez

In 1937 East Texas, a Black boy and a Mexican American girl fall in love, defying the town's deeply entrenched racism. This is an award-winning, distinctly American interpretation of the age-old Romeo and Juliet story.

'Gender Queer: A Memoir' by Maia Kobabe

The author of this insightful and frank memoir began writing it to explain the experience of being nonbinary and asexual to eir family (Maia Kobabe uses e/em/eir pronouns). But it's become a wonderful primer on one person's experience of self-identity, first crushes, navigating coming out and more that can help teens figure out how to live as their own authentic selves.

'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky

This cult favorite takes a stark look at the heartbreaks, friendships and weirdness of high school in all its honest glory. Kids who feel misunderstood may find a kindred spirit in Charlie, as he navigates the rocky road between childhood and adulthood and parents of teens may even remember how important it felt to them when they were that impossible-feeling age.

RELATED: 50 Books All Teens Should Read

'Thirteen Reasons Why' by Jay Asher

When Clay Jensen comes home from school to a package containing tapes from his late classmate (and former crush) Hannah, who died by suicide a couple of weeks earlier, he becomes a witness to just how much pain she was in — and why. For any teens struggling with thoughts of suicide or who have friends who do, Hannah's experience may feel comforting, even as it can be heartbreaking to read.

'Sold' by Patricia McCormick

This stunning National Book Award finalist follows Lakshmi, a Nepalese girl from a desperately poor family who gets sold to a brothel run by a cruel and corrupt madame. While there, Lakshmi finds sisterhood in her fellow sex workers and in her mother's mantra that keeps her going: Simply to endure is to triumph.

'Crank' by Ellen Hopkins

Kristina Snow has everything going for her: She's quiet and polite, good in school and on what adults call "the straight and narrow." Then she meets Crank, and things start to spiral out of control. This trilogy is a rollercoaster, but it's also full of important lessons delivered in a page-turning package.

'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' by Jesse Andrews

Greg has been trying to survive high school by keeping a low profile and making movies with his best friend Earl. But then his mom forces him to hang out with Rebecca, a neighbor girl who has been diagnosed with leukemia. When Greg and Earl decide to make a movie about her life after she stops treatment, it changes everything for all three of them in this darkly hilarious book with a metric ton of heart.

'Identical' by Ellen Hopkins

Twins Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the eyelash, but under the surface, both have their secrets. Favoritism from their high-powered parents leads to one twin feeling less-than, turning to substances and sex. But the truth will come out, and sooner than later, the twins have to confront not only their own secrets, but whether they can save each other and both emerge intact.

'Empire of Storms' by Sarah Maas

Gathering war, strained loyalties and a battle between those who have magical powers and those who don't are at the center of this last book in the bestselling Throne of Glass series. Aelin has pledged her heart to her warrior prince and her people, but she must decide whether to pursue a sacrifice that might fend off dark forces, and could take everything from her in the process.

'This Book Is Gay' by Juno Dawson

The title of this one says it all. This is a book about what it's like to discover one's own identity, come out and live as part of the LGBTQ+ community, for anyone who's curious. It's smart, it's funny, it's entertaining and it's exactly what teens need — no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.

You Might Also Like

• 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile

• The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper