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Banned & Challenged Books

Banned & Challenged Books

Read Banned Books

October 5-11, 2025 is Banned Books Week. The American Library Association's theme this year is "Censorship is So 1984-- Read for your Rights!" The MiraCosta College Library & Students' Pride in Honoring Our Existence through Resistance and Empowerment (SPHERE) invite you to learn more about banned & challenged books by reading the 10 most-challenged books in 2024! 

In 2024, the American Library Association (ALA) documented 2,452 challenges to library books and resources. That marks the third-highest amount of challenges recorded since the ALA started tracking challenges 24 years ago. Because many challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press this list represents only a snapshot of book challenges; actual numbers are likely higher.

San Diego County book challenges have occurred in the City of Oceanside and at Poway Unified School District (a district review committee ultimately voted to keep both challenged books in high school libraries). Additionally, the Solana Beach School District adopted a new process for considering book donations; the same district was in the news in the fall of 2021 after students and parents both criticized and praised book donations at a board meeting.

#10 Flamer

#8 (Tie) Sold

#8 (Tie) Crank

#6 (Tie) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

#6 (Tie) Looking for Alaska

#5 Tricks

#3 (Tie) The Perks of Being a Wallflower

#3 (Tie) The Bluest Eye

#2 Gender Queer: A Memoir

#1 All Boys Aren't Blue