Banned Books Week

Professor Henry Marchand Holding Up Book During Banned Books Week Read-out
Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) observes Banned Books Week to remind us that challenges to our Freedom to Read continue across the U.S. The ALA gathers reports from schools and libraries nationwide on attempted and successful book bans, with hundreds reported annually and an unknown number go undocumented. Join us on the MPC campus for activities, including a banned book read-out and a raffle!

Have Questions?

Contact Banned Books Week Organizer

What are Banned Books?

A Book Ban results when an individual or organization attempts to have a book removed from library circulation or from a school reading list and is successful in doing so; a Challenge results when the attempt is unsuccessful.

The ALA Website provides detailed lists of the most frequently banned and challenged books over the years.

Look back to this page for upcoming details on the upcoming Banned Books Week in 2025!

Frequent Targets

The most frequently Banned & Challenged books in the U.S. in 2022 included:

  • Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe
  • All Boys Aren't Blue, by George M. Johnson
  • The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
  • Out of Darkness, by Ashley Hope Perez
  • This Book is Gay, by June Dawson

The number of different books banned or challenged in 2022 nearly doubled the number in 2021. Books that have been among the most targeted for decades include classics like:

  • Fahrenheit 451
  • 1984
  • To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Slaughterhouse Five
  • The Color Purple
  • Beloved
  • The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Previous Banned Books Weeks

Outside Booth for Banned Books Week
 
Audience for Banned Books Week Read-out
 
Man Reading Book "Lolita" Out Loud During Banned Books Week Read-out
 
Professor Henry Marchand Speaking Out Loud to Audience During Banned Books Week Read-out