October 1 – 7 is Banned Books Week! This week draws attention to the harms of censorship and the recent significant increase in state and local book challenges in the U.S. The top 13 most challenged books of 2022 are:

1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
3. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Reasons: depiction of sexual abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
4. Flamer by Mike Curato Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
5. (TIE) Looking for Alaska by John Green Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content
6. (TIE) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, depiction of sexual abuse, drugs, profanity
7. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
8. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
9. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit
10. (TIE) A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit
11. (TIE) Crank by Ellen Hopkins Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs
12. (TIE) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
13. (TIE) This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit

You can find these titles in the Kalamazoo College Library (because we hope you read them). Some of these titles (and more!) are on display on the first floor library display table. If they are checked out, you can also find them on MeLCat.

According to the American Library Association, a record 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship in 2022, a 38% increase over the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021. Challenged books often contain content relating to race, LGBTQ issues, sexuality, and other themes important to social justice. Recent challenges have attempted to criminalize teachers and librarians for including these titles in library collections.

While most book challenges take place in public and school libraries, the Kalamazoo College Library recognizes that today’s elementary and secondary school students are tomorrow’s college students, and they need access to these titles. We also support our own students and faculty in researching these issues. This is why we have intentionally purchased some of the most challenged books. You can find them through Library OneSearch or through our Display of Banned Books.

These books are also accessible through MeLCat and Interlibrary Loan for readers in Michigan and around the country. By purchasing these titles, we express our support for librarians and teachers who are dealing with censorship while trying to support their students.