3 Graphic Novels make the top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023

Book challenges and book burnings are in vogue right now and being used in a culture war to shore up support for rightwing grifters who have little to go on for support beyond attacking others. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom each year compiles a list of the top 10 most challenged books. This year, three graphic novels made the list.

There were 4,240 unique books targeted for censorship in 2023 which as an increase of 65% from 2022. There were 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023.

All three graphic novels challenged contain LGBTQIA+ and were claimed to be “sexually explicit.”

Maia Kobabe‘s Gender Queer again topped the list with 106 challenges. The graphic novel has topped the list for the past three years. Mike Curato‘s Flamer was fifth with 67 challenges and Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan was ninth with 55 challenges.

You can see the full list here.