"The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack." from the Freedom to Read Statement of 1953

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Most Challenged Books from ALA
Read and sign the Freedom to Read Statement
News and updates on book bans and challenges
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Motlow Library Resources on Banned/Challenged Lists

The following resource flow features a number of titles in the Motlow Library that have fallen on banned/challenged lists.

Contact the library to place a hold on any physical items displayed here.

The-hate-u-give-/-Angie-Thomas.-(5TH-MOST-CHALLENGED-BOOK-OF-2021)
The hate u give / Angie Thomas. (5TH MOST CHALLENGED BOOK OF 2021)
The-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-Indian-/-by-Sherman-Alexie-;-art-by-Ellen-Forney-;-foreword-by-Jacqueline-Woodson.-(8TH-MOST-CHALLENGED-BOOK-OF-2022)
The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian / by Sherman Alexie ; art by Ellen Forney ; foreword by Jacqueline Woodson. (8TH MOST CHALLENGED BOOK OF 2022)
Me-and-Earl-and-the-dying-girl-:-a-novel-/-by-Jesse-Andrews.-(TIED-FOR-10TH-MOST-CHALLENGED-BOOK-OF-2022)
Me and Earl and the dying girl : a novel / by Jesse Andrews. (TIED FOR 10TH MOST CHALLENGED BOOK OF 2022)
The-bluest-eye-:-a-novel-/-Toni-Morrison-;-(3RD-MOST-CHALLENGED-BOOK-OF-2022)
The bluest eye : a novel / Toni Morrison ; (3RD MOST CHALLENGED BOOK OF 2022)
Maus-:-a-survivor's-tale-/-Art-Spiegelman-;-(BANNED-IN-2022-BY-MCMINN-COUNTY,-TN-SCHOOL-BOARD)-
Maus : a survivor's tale / Art Spiegelman ; (BANNED IN 2022 BY MCMINN COUNTY, TN SCHOOL BOARD)
Beloved-:-a-novel-/-by-Toni-Morrison-;-(BANNED-IN-2016-IN-VIRGINIA-AP-CLASSES)
Beloved : a novel / by Toni Morrison ; (BANNED IN 2016 IN VIRGINIA AP CLASSES)
Harry-Potter-and-the-sorcerer's-stone-/-by-J.K.-Rowling-;-illustrations-by-Mary-GrandPré.-(ALL-HARRY-POTTER-TITLES-WERE-THE-9TH-MOST-CHALLENGED-IN-2019)
Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone / by J.K. Rowling ; illustrations by Mary GrandPré. (ALL HARRY POTTER TITLES WERE THE 9TH MOST CHALLENGED IN 2019)
Looking-for-Alaska-/-a-novel-by-John-Green.-(TIED-FOR-5TH-MOST-CHALLENGED-BOOK-OF-2022)
Looking for Alaska / a novel by John Green. (TIED FOR 5TH MOST CHALLENGED BOOK OF 2022)
Crank-/-Ellen-Hopkins.(TIED-FOR-10TH-MOST-CHALLENGED-BOOK-OF-2022)
Crank / Ellen Hopkins.(TIED FOR 10TH MOST CHALLENGED BOOK OF 2022)

Banned Books Week research starter from EDS

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United Against Book Bans - Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read

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Gale In Context, Opposing Viewpoints on Book Banning

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Censorship By the Numbers - 2022 statistics

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Library Resources about Censorship and the Freedom to Read

The following resource flow features a number of titles in the Motlow Library collection for further research on Censorship and the Freedom to Read.

Contact the library to place a hold on any physical items displayed here. Motlow Hub Login required off-campus for eBooks.

Book-Banning-in-21st-Century-America
Book Banning in 21st-Century America
Intellectual-Freedom-for-Teens-:-A-Practical-Guide-for-Young-Adult-&-School-Librarians
Intellectual Freedom for Teens : A Practical Guide for Young Adult & School Librarians
Intellectual-Freedom-Manual-:-Ninth-Edition
Intellectual Freedom Manual : Ninth Edition
Banned-in-the-U.S.A.-:-a-reference-guide-to-book-censorship-in-schools-and-public-libraries-/-Herbert-N.-Foerstel.
Banned in the U.S.A. : a reference guide to book censorship in schools and public libraries / Herbert N. Foerstel.
A-history-of-ALA-policy-on-intellectual-freedom-:-a-supplement-to-The-intellectual-freedom-manual,-ninth-edition-/-compiled-by-
A history of ALA policy on intellectual freedom : a supplement to The intellectual freedom manual, ninth edition / compiled by
Intellectual-Freedom-Stories-From-a-Shifting-Landscape
Intellectual Freedom Stories From a Shifting Landscape
True-Stories-of-Censorship-Battles-in-America's-Libraries
True Stories of Censorship Battles in America's Libraries

Podcasts about Banned Books

Banned Book Club podcast
The Banned Book Club believes that the most controversial books are often the best books. Join them as they dive into literature that has been good enough to raise the ire of governments, school-boards, and concerned parents all over the world.
The Story Behind Episode 126 Banned Books podcast
On this episode of The Story Behind, podcast host Emily Prokop takes listeners on a journey dating all the way back to 2010 BC detailing the origin of banned books.
Books and Backlash, from the Southlake podcast
On this bonus episode of the Southlake podcast, they speak with a former librarian at Carroll Senior High School, who retired early instead of continuing to navigate the battle over books.
Banned Books, from the
In this episode, Barrie Hardymon and Traci Thomas joined guest host Ayesha Rascoe to talk about banned book lists. The three talk about why it's important for kids to discover books freely, even if that means starting a hard conversation with them.