'Gender Queer' Tops Most Challenged Books List of 2021

by Kara Yorio
Apr 04, 2022 | Filed in News & Features

Once again books with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes are the most challenged titles across the country.

The American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom has released the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021. Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer takes the top spot as once again books with LGBTQIA+ characters and themes are the most challenged titles across the country.

For the last three years, Alex Gino's Melissa (formerly published as George) was the No. 1 book on the list. Gino's middle grade novel did not make the Top 10 this year.

Below, OIF offers a breakdown of the challenges by reason for a challenge, who initiates it, and where. 

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Kara Yorio

Kara Yorio (kyorio@mediasourceinc.com, @karayorio) is senior news editor at School Library Journal.

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