Challenged LGBTQIA+ Books

By jcaswell
  • Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

    Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

    Reasons: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against “family values/morals”
  • Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out

    Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out

    Reasons: challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, for “its effect on any young people who would read it,” and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased
  • This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

    This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

    Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
  • Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

    Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

    Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content
  • I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

    I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

    This autobiographical picture book co-written by the 13-year-old protagonist was challenged because it addresses gender identity.
  • And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson illustrated by Henry Cole

    And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson illustrated by Henry Cole

    Returning after a brief hiatus from the Top Ten Most Challenged list, this ALA Notable Children’s Book, published in 2005, was challenged and labeled because it features a same-sex relationship.
  • Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth

    Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth

    Reasons: Challenged, banned, and relocated for LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were “inappropriate”
  • George by Alex Gino

    George by Alex Gino

    Reasons: challenged, banned, restricted, and hidden to avoid controversy; for LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender character; because schools and libraries should not “put books in a child’s hand that require discussion”; for sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and “traditional family structure”