Overview

• The number of attempted book bans in 2022 nearly doubled from 2021, hitting a 20-year recordhigh.
• Over 2,570 unique book titles were targeted for censorship, with a disproportionate number addressing LGBTQ themes or written by authors of color.
• Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” faced the most challenges for the second straight year, with 151 attempts to ban the graphic memoir.
• The majority of book challenges originated from conservative parent groups and political organizations aiming to censor discussions of sexuality, gender identity, and race.
• According to reports, the surge in book bans is part of a coordinated campaign to limit children’s access to diverse literature and frames of reference.