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Celebrating the Freedom to Read: Banned Books Week

This guide highlights the annual Banned Books Week each Fall, and provides information about book banning, censorship and intellectual freedom. It was created in 2014, and new content is added when it becomes available.

UC San Diego Reads Banned Books: Events

A promotional graphic for

Do You Read Banned Books?

Here's a selected list of banned or challenged books available at the UC San Diego Library:

Gender Queer: a Memoir by Maia Kobabe
Call Number: WM 617 K754g, Wong Avery 2nd Fl.
ISBN: 9781549304002
Publication Date: 2019
All Boys Aren't Blue: a Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson
ISBN: 9780374312718
Publication Date: 2020
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson; Peter Parnell; Henry Cole (Illustrator)
Call Number: Oversize Geisel, Floor6 PS3618.I34469 A53 2005
ISBN: 9780689878459
Publication Date: 2005
Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa; Project (Translator)
Call Number: PN6790.J33 N3313 (Geisel, 7th fl)
ISBN: 9780867196023
Publication Date: 2004
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Call Number: Multiple formats. Print: PS3563.O8749 B4 Geisel 6th Fl.
ISBN: 0394535979
Publication Date: 1987
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Call Number: Online & print PN6727.B3757 Z46 (Geisel 7th fl)
ISBN: 9780618871711
Publication Date: 2007
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Call Number: PN6747.S245 P4713 (Geisel 7th fl)
ISBN: 9780375714573
Publication Date: 2004
The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Ed. Nancy Walker
Call Number: Multiple formats. Print: PS1294.C63 A6435 2000, Geisel Fl 7
ISBN: 9780312195755
Publication Date: 2000
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Call Number: Multiple formats. Print: PS3511.I9 G7 2013 Geisel Fl 7
ISBN: 0743273567
Publication Date: 2013
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Call Number: Proquest e-book
ISBN: 9781594631931
Publication Date: 2013
Ulysses by James Joyce
Call Number: Multiple formats. Print: Geisel Fl. 7, PR6019.O9 U4 1984 v.1, PR6019.O9 U4 1984 v.2, PR6019.O9 U4 1984 v.3
ISBN: 0824043758
Publication Date: 1984
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
ISBN: 9780395404256
Publication Date: 1986

Banned Books Read-Out

See the 2014 Banned Books Week @ UC San Diego Youtube Channel for more!

Most Frequently Challenged or Banned Books By Year

For more lists of the most frequently challenged or banned books, check out the links below.

Top Ten Most Challenged Books
Annually compiled list of banned and most-challenged titles.
Top 10 & Frequently Challenged Books Archive
Data and lists going back to 1990
Book Ban Data

More Information about Banning Books

ALA's Intellectual Freedom Blog
The American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom includes news of latest developments and updates on Banned Books Week activities.
Common Reasons for Book Challenges
This page lists and explains some common reasons for book challenges.
Take Action Against Censorship
ALA provides a list of how to oppose censorship.
The Library Bill of Rights
Adopted by the American Library Association in 1939, the Library Bill of Rights is a set of guidelines for providing services to patrons.

Banned Books Week Social Media Sites