The recent rise of books being taken out of libraries has made an impact on young readers. Now, more than ever, young people have less access to titles representing diversity. “The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked that of the 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025, 39 % represent the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and people of color.” American Library Association
It is difficult to follow the actions and motives of the pressure groups, government officials, and decision makers who are responsible for 92% of these challenges, (only 3% of challenges originated from private individuals). Stories help bridge the gap of understanding what is at stake when books are censored. This list includes books that introduce readers to ideas of censorship, freedom of speech and activism in a concrete, relatable way.
Attack of the Black Rectangles Amy Sarig King
Mac, a boy who seeks historical truths, is at first curious to discover why his teacher blacked out some of the words in Devil’s Arithmetic, a book about the Holocaust. Then he is outraged. He rallies his friends to join him in a fight against censorship. Although his hometown is conservative in strange ways, such as banning junk food and Halloween, Mac’s mom and grandfather support his efforts to confront the School Board and protect intellectual freedom. All the while, Mac struggles with keeping the secret of his father’s mental illness. With moments of humor, this is a realistic and uplifting book which will inspire readers to stand up for what is right.
Answers in the Pages David Levithan
This bold story about taking action is unique in that it is told from three different perspectives. Through Duncan’s eyes we see his mother reading his assigned book for school, The Adventurers. When she discovers the last line of the book, she believes it implies that the main characters, Rick and Oliver, are in a gay relationship. These two characters tell their fast-paced adventures as they try to save the world from an evil genius. And then there’s the pure and heartfelt story of Gideon and Roberto who, while working on an English project together, find themselves becoming more than friends. The fight to keep The Adventurers from being censored reminds me of the movie The Librarians, where a son is fighting for freedom of expression, while his mother wants to control what all young people read.
Not Another Banned Book by Dana Alison Levy
Book Club is Molly’s happy place. She and her BFF are not getting along, and she’s being taken from the only home she knows, the one where her deceased brother lived. When the Book Club disbands, and her favorite teacher Ms. Lewiston is suspended for sharing a controversial book, she decides to do whatever it takes to get it all back. She teams up with six other students to fight censorship. They rally together to organize school walkouts, spy on book banning meetings and contact a sympathetic author. Levy provides a gripping testament to the ups and downs of activism and middle school life.
Same Page by Elly Swartz
Bess Stern is a unique character – she practices mindfulness techniques to help calm her anxiety, and as 6th grade president, she puts a book vending machine in her school. She’s called to action when a parent complains that some of the books (including one on the Holocaust) are ‘inappropriate, indecent and offensive,’ and should be removed from the machine. Bess starts the Book Warriors, a banned book club, and meets with a group of librarians to combat this censorship. Things get complicated when she discovers that her best friend’s mother is responsible for the removal of the books. Subplots of Jewish life and faith, Barnaby, the dog, and a crush on her best friend’s brother, all contribute to make this a rich, multilayered story.
Finally Seen by Kelly Yang
Lina is excited to be reunited with her parents and little sister after living apart for five years. She thinks that moving from Beijing to L.A. will be a dream come true. But she’s confronted with the challenges of living in poverty, being bullied at school for not knowing English and missing her grandmother whom she left back in China. As the story progresses, Lina adjusts, and gains language skills. When a parent of a student in her class challenges a book by a Chinese American writer, calling it ‘divisive, and not relevant and inappropriate,’ Lina is compelled to speak up. At a School Board meeting, Lina gives a speech to share how much this book meant to her. She says, “For me this book is a mirror. For other kids, it is a sliding door. . . . A door to see real life.” (p. 266)
Banned Books, Crop tops and Other Bad Influences by Brigit Young
Rose has always been a rule-follower – until she meets Talia. Her new friend, who is also Jewish, pushes Rose to take risks in all sorts of ways, including forming the Banned Book Brigade. The four members meet in secret to discuss the titles of books that have been pulled from the school library, including a book about Jewish refugees, and a book exploring gender identity. The core of the book revolves around friendship, trust and betrayal, paralleling the need to speak out when things aren’t right.
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