{"id":146129,"date":"2020-05-19T16:51:27","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T14:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/?p=146129"},"modified":"2023-09-21T18:21:30","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T16:21:30","slug":"most-challenged-books-2019-report-infographic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/most-challenged-books-2019-report-infographic\/","title":{"rendered":"What were the most challenged books of 2019? (report and infographic)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Where-did-2019-book-challenges-take-place.jpg?resize=540%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Where did 2019 book challenges take place?\" class=\"wp-image-146147\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Where-did-2019-book-challenges-take-place.jpg?resize=540%2C360&amp;ssl=1 540w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Where-did-2019-book-challenges-take-place.jpg?resize=220%2C147&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Where-did-2019-book-challenges-take-place.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Where-did-2019-book-challenges-take-place.jpg?resize=160%2C107&amp;ssl=1 160w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Where-did-2019-book-challenges-take-place.jpg?w=840&amp;ssl=1 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"lead\"><strong>Last year, the Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials. Here are the top 10 most challenged books.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On April 20, 2020, a list of most challenged books of 2019 was published in the State of America&#8217;s Libraries report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-background has-system-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-color:#dedede;border-width:1px;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-top:1em;padding-right:1.5em;padding-bottom:1em;padding-left:1.5em\"><ul class=\"has-dates has-small-font-size wp-block-rss\"><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/top-free-ebooks-christmas-2023\/'>Free ebooks for Christmas 2023: here are the top 20 downloads<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2023-12-15T14:05:39+01:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">Dec 15, 2023<\/time> <\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/best-personalized-library-gifts\/'>12 best personalized gifts for librarians and library supporters<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2023-11-18T11:11:37+01:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">Nov 18, 2023<\/time> <\/li><\/ul><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p>The detailed list is compiled every year since 2001 by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ala.org\/aboutala\/offices\/oif\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office for Intellectual Freedom<\/a> (OIF), a special section of the American Library Association dedicated to educate the general public about the nature and importance of intellectual freedom in libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OIF reports that in total 566 books were targeted in 2019, and the office tracked 377 challenges regarding library, school, and university materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most challenged book of 2019 is Alex Gino&#8217;s <em>George<\/em>. For the second time the in a row this book tops the list. It tells the story of a young transgender girl Melissa who is &#8220;unable to be herself to the rest of the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Alex-Gino-George-the-most-challenged-book-of-2019.jpg?resize=220%2C320&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Alex Gino - George - the most challenged book of 2019\" class=\"wp-image-146151\" width=\"220\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Alex-Gino-George-the-most-challenged-book-of-2019.jpg?resize=220%2C320&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Alex-Gino-George-the-most-challenged-book-of-2019.jpg?resize=110%2C160&amp;ssl=1 110w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Alex-Gino-George-the-most-challenged-book-of-2019.jpg?w=540&amp;ssl=1 540w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption><em>George<\/em> by Alex Gino is the most challenged book of 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Alex Gino&#8217;s book was challenged for sexual references, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and because schools and libraries should not &#8220;put books in a child\u2019s hand that require discussion.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below, you will find detailed visuals that put together the most important facts about book challenges in 2019. Click or tap the visuals to see them in full resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Harry Potter series was challenged four times since 2001, and the reasons to ban were: referring to magic and witchcraft, containing actual curses and spells, characters that use &#8220;nefarious means&#8221; to attain goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Handmaid&#8217;s Tale<\/em>, Margaret Atwood&#8217;s dystopian novel originally published in 1985, appeared on the list of challenged books for the first time, and takes the 7th place. The reasons to ban or challenge were profanity and &#8220;vulgarity and sexual overtones.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most challenges in 2019 took place in libraries \u2013 66% in public and 19% in school libraries, followed by schools (12%) and academia (2%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Who-initiated-book-challenges-in-2019.jpg?resize=540%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Who initiated book challenges in 2019\" class=\"wp-image-146158\" width=\"540\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Who-initiated-book-challenges-in-2019.jpg?resize=540%2C360&amp;ssl=1 540w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Who-initiated-book-challenges-in-2019.jpg?resize=220%2C147&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Who-initiated-book-challenges-in-2019.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Who-initiated-book-challenges-in-2019.jpg?resize=160%2C107&amp;ssl=1 160w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Who-initiated-book-challenges-in-2019.jpg?w=840&amp;ssl=1 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Who initiated the challenges in 2019? The largest group are library patrons \u2013 they account for 45% of cases. Parents initiated 18% of challenges, while 12% were started by political or religious groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Books were the most challenged material (56%), but not the only one. 22% of the challenged content were programs and meeting rooms, 9% displays, and 8% movies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure to visit the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/bbooks\/frequentlychallengedbooks\/top10\" target=\"_blank\">Top 10 Most Challenged Books<\/a> list on ALA&#8217;s website for more information and shareable visuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top 10 most challenged books of 2019 &#8211; infographic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized alignwide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/most-challenged-books-2019-report-infographic\/top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-full-infographic\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=540%2C648&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Top 10 most challenged books of 2019 - full infographic\" class=\"wp-image-146139\" width=\"540\" height=\"648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=540%2C648&amp;ssl=1 540w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=220%2C264&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=768%2C922&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=133%2C160&amp;ssl=1 133w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=840%2C1008&amp;ssl=1 840w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-full-infographic.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"tag tag-brown tx-meta tx-600\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Top-10-most-challenged-books-of-2019-high-resolution-infographic.pdf\">\u21e2 Download pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top 10 most challenged books of 2019 &#8211; list<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Alex-Gino-George-the-most-challenged-book-of-2019.jpg?resize=220%2C320&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Alex Gino - George - the most challenged book of 2019\" class=\"wp-image-146151\" width=\"220\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Alex-Gino-George-the-most-challenged-book-of-2019.jpg?resize=220%2C320&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Alex-Gino-George-the-most-challenged-book-of-2019.jpg?resize=110%2C160&amp;ssl=1 110w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Alex-Gino-George-the-most-challenged-book-of-2019.jpg?w=540&amp;ssl=1 540w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. <em>George<\/em>&nbsp;by Alex Gino<\/strong><br>Reasons: challenged, banned, restricted, and hidden to avoid controversy; for LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender character; because schools and libraries should not \u201cput books in a child\u2019s hand that require discussion\u201d; for sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and \u201ctraditional family structure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. <em>Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out<\/em>&nbsp;by Susan Kuklin<\/strong><br>Reasons: challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, for \u201cits effect on any young people who would read it,\u201d and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. <em>A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo<\/em>&nbsp;by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller<\/strong><br>Reasons:&nbsp;Challenged and vandalized for LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints, for concerns that it is \u201cdesigned to pollute the morals of its readers,\u201d and for not including a content warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. <em>Sex is a Funny Word<\/em>&nbsp;by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth<\/strong><br>Reasons:&nbsp;Challenged, banned, and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were \u201cinappropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. <em>Prince &amp; Knight<\/em>&nbsp;by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis<\/strong><br>Reasons: Challenged and restricted for featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content; for being \u201ca deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children\u201d with the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. <em>I Am Jazz<\/em>&nbsp;by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas<\/strong><br>Reasons: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is \u201csensitive, controversial, and politically charged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/The-Handmaids-Tale-Margaret-Atwood.jpg?resize=220%2C332&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood\" class=\"wp-image-143274\" width=\"220\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/The-Handmaids-Tale-Margaret-Atwood.jpg?resize=220%2C332&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/The-Handmaids-Tale-Margaret-Atwood.jpg?resize=106%2C160&amp;ssl=1 106w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/The-Handmaids-Tale-Margaret-Atwood.jpg?w=540&amp;ssl=1 540w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. <em>The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em>&nbsp;by Margaret Atwood<\/strong><br>Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity and for \u201cvulgarity and sexual overtones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. <em>Drama<\/em>&nbsp;written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier<\/strong><br>Reasons: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against \u201cfamily values\/morals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>9. <em>Harry Potter series<\/em>&nbsp;by J. K. Rowling<\/strong><br>Reasons: Banned and forbidden from discussion for referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use \u201cnefarious means\u201d to attain goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10. <em>And Tango Makes Three<\/em>&nbsp;by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson&nbsp;illustrated by Henry Cole<\/strong><br>Reason: Challenged and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Book censorship 2019 by the numbers &#8211; infographic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized alignwide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/most-challenged-books-2019-report-infographic\/book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=540%2C1224&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Book censorship by the numbers 2019 - full infographic\" class=\"wp-image-146137\" width=\"540\" height=\"1224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=540%2C1224&amp;ssl=1 540w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=220%2C499&amp;ssl=1 220w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=768%2C1741&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=678%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 678w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=904%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 904w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=71%2C160&amp;ssl=1 71w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?resize=840%2C1904&amp;ssl=1 840w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-full-infographic.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a class=\"tag tag-brown tx-meta tx-600\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Book-censorship-by-the-numbers-2019-high-resolution-infographic.pdf\">\u21e2 Download pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>All visuals via <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/bbooks\/bannedbooksweek\/ideasandresources\/freedownloads\">American Library Association<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure to check out other posts and infographics about libraries:<\/p>\n\n\n<p>[ef-archive number=5 tag=&#8221;libraries&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last year, the Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials. Here are the top 10 most challenged books.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":146147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7],"tags":[11173,11510,11570],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Where-did-2019-book-challenges-take-place.jpg?fit=840%2C560&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pdOQhx-C0V","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146129"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=146129"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146129\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":146305,"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146129\/revisions\/146305"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/146147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=146129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebookfriendly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=146129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}