Top Reasons Books Are Banned
Books have been banned for centuries, and while the titles may change, the motivations behind censorship are often remarkably similar. Every year, schools and libraries around the world face challenges to the books they make available. In the United States, the American Library Association (ALA) and PEN America track these cases and their data reveals clear patterns. Their reports show that although the cultural moment may differ, the reasons people object to books tend to fall into a handful of recurring themes.
Sexual Content
One of the most frequent reasons for banning books is sexual content. Any depiction of sexual activity, discussions of intimacy, or even references to sexuality often draw challenges, particularly in schools. PEN America’s 2024 report shows that more than 30% of book bans in U.S. schools cited sexual content as the main reason. Classic and modern works have been caught in this debate: Judy Blume’s Forever was banned for its honest depiction of teenage relationships, Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer was pulled from libraries for its explicit illustrations, and Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita has been controversial for decades because of its unsettling subject matter.
Examples:
Forever by Judy Blume
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Profanity and Offensive Language
Books that include swearing or other offensive speech are also frequent targets. Opponents argue that young readers should not be exposed to language they consider crude, even when such language plays a central role in the authenticity of a character or narrative. The ALA notes that about 20% of book challenges involve complaints about profanity. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men has been banned many times for its coarse language, while J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye continues to face criticism for its swearing and its so-called “immoral” tone.
Examples:
Violence
Violence in literature often sparks objections, especially when it is graphic or disturbing. Parents and educators sometimes fear that exposure to violent narratives may influence young readers negatively. In 2023, PEN America reported that 14% of book bans were linked to violent content. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies has been challenged for its unsettling portrayal of children turning to savagery, while Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games series has been criticized for its depiction of teenagers forced to fight in brutal survival games.
Examples:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
LGBTQ+ Themes
One of the most rapidly growing reasons for book bans is the inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes. Stories that feature gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer characters are often accused of being “inappropriate” or of “promoting an agenda.” PEN America reports that more than 40% of recent bans focused on books with LGBTQ+ content. Alex Gino’s George (Melissa) has been repeatedly banned for its transgender main character, while Juno Dawson’s This Book Is Gay has been removed from school libraries for openly discussing sexuality and identity.
Examples:
George (Melissa) by Alex Gino
This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson
Race and Racism
Books that deal with racism, slavery, or systemic injustice are frequently challenged for being “divisive” or making students uncomfortable. Yet many educators argue that such books are vital for understanding history and the present. The ALA found that in 2022–2023, nearly one in three bans targeted works on race and racism. Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye has been banned for its candid depictions of racial trauma, while Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds has been challenged for its direct examination of systemic racism.
Examples:
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Religious Reasons
Religious objections have shaped censorship for centuries. Some books are banned for promoting ideas that go against religious teachings, while others are condemned for questioning or satirizing religion itself. Historically, 10–15% of challenges have stemmed from religious concerns. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling has been banned in schools for supposedly promoting witchcraft, while Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses was banned outright in several countries for blasphemy.
Examples:
The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
Unsuitable for Age Group
Many books are not banned for one particular issue, but because they are considered “too mature” for the age group that might encounter them. Schools often remove books on the grounds of age appropriateness, a reason cited in about 25% of challenges according to the ALA’s 2023 report. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird has been banned for its racial slurs and mature subject matter, while Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why was challenged for its sensitive portrayal of suicide and mental health.
Examples:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
When taken together, these reasons—sexual content, profanity, violence, LGBTQ+ themes, race, religion, and maturity concerns—highlight the ongoing struggle between access to knowledge and attempts to shield readers from uncomfortable ideas. The statistics make clear that censorship in schools and libraries is not fading, but increasing. History, however, shows that banning books rarely silences them. Many works once considered dangerous or obscene are now recognized as literary classics studied in classrooms. At its heart, the debate over banned books is not just about individual titles but about who gets to decide what people are allowed to read. Books are banned because they are powerful, and that very power is why the freedom to read remains one of the most important rights to defend.
