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Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer graphic novel among most challenged books, according to American Library Association report

For a second year in a row, Maia Kobabe's graphic memoir, Gender Queer, has ranked among the top most challenged books in American libraries

The cover of Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe — Image credit: Simon & Schuster

News by Jules Chin Greene, Staff Writer

Published on Tue Apr 08 2025

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It's National Library Week, and the American Library Association (ALA) is celebrating this year with the theme, Drawn to the Library. With the help of Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud, the creators behind the new graphic novel, The Cartoonists Club, the ALA is spotlighting the unique role that libraries play in fostering a sense of curiosity in our communities. And while there's scores of wonderful things about our public libraries that are worth celebrating every week of the year, National Library Week feels more crucial than ever with the recent cuts to federal funding for libraries, as well as the rise of book bans and challenges.

Now, Publisher's Weekly has released the ALA's list of the top ten books that were most challenged during the year 2024. They are as follows:

All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
(Tie) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
(Tie) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
(Tie) Looking for Alaska by John Green
(Tie) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
(Tie) Crank by Ellen Hopkins
(Tie) Sold by Patricia McCormick
Flamer by Mike Curato

Last year, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe was at the top of the list of most challenged books. Overall, the ALA reports that there were "821 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2024 - a notable drop from the 1,247 attempts recorded in 2023." The reasons why the books listed above were challenged range from their inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or experiences, discussing racism and social justice, to "claims of illegal obscenity for minors."

Deborah Caldwell-Stone, the director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, also notes that the data for challenged books only represents one aspect about a larger, more troubling picture for American libraries today. “Not reflected in these numbers are the relentless attacks on library workers, educators, and community members who stand up to the censors and defend the freedom to read. These attacks are creating an environment of fear in which library workers are afraid to buy books or report censorship.”

So there you have it folks. Get out and support your public libraries this week, and every week, and encourage your friends to sign up for a library card.

Just like yourself, the Popverse staff spends a whole lot of time with our respective noses in respective books. It's why we've come up with stuff like:

...and a whole lot more. Join our metaphorical library, won't you? There are no late fees and you can be as loud as you want, so long as the people you live with are OK with it.

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Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, Multiverse of Color, and Screen Rant.