Banned Books at the University of Chicago
Every year, the American Library Association compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books and announces the past year's list on Right to Read Day during National Library Week in April.
The top 5 from 2023 (and many more) can be found at the UChicago Library and are linked below. To view the rest of the list, see the ALA Top Most Challenged Books List.
Gender Queer: a Memoir by
In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns,thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographicalcomic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortablewith strangers knowing about em. Now, Gender Queer is here. Maia's intenselycathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes themortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to comeout to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, andfacing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears. Started as a way toexplain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Gender Queer ismore than a personal story: it is a useful and touching guide on genderidentity--what it means and how to think about it--for advocates,friends, and humans everywhere.
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Call Number: HQ76.27.Y68 K63 2019
All Boys Aren't Blue by
In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. A New York Times Bestseller! Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Today Show, and MSNBC feature stories From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults. Velshi Banned Book Club Indie Bestseller Teen Vogue Recommended Read Buzzfeed Recommended Read People Magazine Best Book of the Summer A New York Library Best Book of 2020 A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020 ... and more!
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Call Number: HQ76.27.A37J644 2020
This Book Is Gay by
The bestselling young adult non-fiction book on sexuality and gender! Lesbian. Gay. Bisexual. Transgender. Queer. Intersex. Straight. Curious. This book is for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual preference. This book is for anyone who's ever dared to wonder. This book is for YOU. This candid, funny, and uncensored exploration of sexuality and what it's like to grow up LGBTQ also includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention hilarious illustrations. Inside this revised and updated edition, you'll find the answers to all the questions you ever wanted to ask, with topics like: Stereotypes--the facts and fiction Coming out as LGBT Where to meet people like you The ins and outs of gay sex How to flirt And so much more! You will be entertained. You will be informed. But most importantly, you will know that however you identify (or don't) and whomever you love, you are exceptional. You matter. And so does this book. This book is for: LGBTQIA+ teens, tweens, and adults Readers looking to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community Parents of gay kids and other LGBT youth Educators looking for advice about the LGBTQIA+ community Praise for This Book is Gay: A Guardian Best Book of the Year 2018 Garden State Teen Book Award Winner "The book every LGBT person would have killed for as a teenager, told in the voice of a wise best friend. Frank, warm, funny, USEFUL."--Patrick Ness, New York Times bestselling author "This egregious gap has now been filled to a fare-thee-well by Dawson's book."--Booklist *STARRED REVIEW*
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Call Number: HQ76.26.D39 2021
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by
Read the cult-favorite coming of age story that takes a sometimes heartbreaking, often hysterical, and always honest look at high school in all its glory. Now a major motion picture starring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a funny, touching, and haunting modern classic. The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky, Perks follows observant "wallflower" Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. A #1 New York Times best seller for more than a year, an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2000) and Best Book for Reluctant Readers (2000), and with millions of copies in print, this novel for teen readers (or "wallflowers" of more-advanced age) will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps feel nostalgic for those moments when you, too, tiptoed onto the dance floor of life.
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Call Number: PZ7.C43Per 1999
Flamer by
Award-winning author and artist Mike Curato draws on his own experiences in Flamer, his debut graphic novel, telling a difficult story with humor, compassion, and love. "This book will save lives." --Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of National Book Award Finalist Hey, Kiddo I know I'm not gay. Gay boys like other boys. I hate boys. They're mean, and scary, and they're always destroying something or saying something dumb or both. I hate that word. Gay. It makes me feel . . . unsafe. It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes--but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance. Godwin Books
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Call Number: PZ7.7.C876Fl 2020
UChicago Banned Book Initiative
The University of Chicago Library is building a comprehensive collection of books banned across the U.S. Our intention is to help address the growing trend of censorship, lower barriers to sharing information, and support open inquiry and discourse. It will serve as a tool for researchers exploring the intersection of censorship and book bans as well as a way for the public to engage with banned books. The growing collection is available for consultation at the UChicago Library by the public, for check out by UChicago users, and for borrowing through Interlibrary Loan.
“We believe that knowledge enriches life, and book bans stand against freedom of inquiry and expression and therefore against the core principles of the University of Chicago.” - Torsten Reimer, University Librarian and Dean of the University Library
- The UChicago Library Announces Banned Book CollectionIn October of 2023, UChicago Library announced an effort to collect more than 1,500 books banned in U.S., make them broadly available.
- The UChicago Library Takes a Stand Against Book BansThe University of Chicago Library News post about DPLA partnership with the Library
- DPLA & The UChicago Library Join Together for The Banned Book ClubDPLA announcement of partnership with the University of Chicago Library to expand The Banned Book Club
The Banned Book Club
More than 900 ebooks are available for free through the Digital Public Library of America’s Banned Book Club on the Palace e-reader app to people nationwide, through the support of our Library.
Follow these instructions to access The Banned Book Club on The Palace Project App:
- Download The Palace App on Google Play (Android) or through The App Store (Apple)
- Search for “Banned Book Club.”
- Click on the Settings gear icon in the lower right corner.
- Click on Libraries, then Banned Book Club.
- At the login screen, Click on Create Card.
- Click “Allow Once” when prompted to allow Palace to use your location.
- Follow the instructions to create your virtual library card.
- Check your email and click the verification link.
- Return to the Palace app and log in using the library barcode number found in the verification email and the password you created.
- Download your first book!
More information on The Banned Book Club can be found here.
Banned Book Events at UChicago
Confronting Book Bans: A Panel Discussion
On July 31, 2024, The University of Chicago Library hosted two national leaders in the battle against book bans, Emily Drabinski, American Library Association Past President, and Emily Knox, author of Book Banning in the 21st Century America, for a panel discussion moderated by Torsten Reimer, University Librarian and Dean of the University Library.
They shared their insights on recent trends in book banning, including what is driving book banning today.
Ask a Librarian
Reporters with questions about the Library’s Banned Book Initiative, please contact Library Communications at lib-comms@lib.uchicago.edu