This Week in Book Challenges
Here is an update on the latest book challenges for the week of January 10, 2024.
- Alabama’s secret book blacklist took effect Jan. 1; both sides want it to be public
- Augusta County Schools, VA board announces intention to ban books in 2024
- Bozeman School District, MT votes unanimously to keep oft-challenged Sherman Alexie novel
- Carroll County, MD school district to decide on definition of “sexually explicit content” on Jan. 10
- Duval County School District, Jacksonville, FL to be site of protests and counterprotests about book bans
- Etowah County, AL library faces funding cuts, homophobic and transphobic book challenges led by GOP secretary
- Fairfiled, CT schools cancel event after one parent complains about content; RJ Julia Independent Booksellers steps in
- Iowa City Community School District returns books removed because of SF 496 to shelves following injunction
- Ketchikan Public Library, AK to consider book restrictions to Flamer and Red Hood in 2024
- Laporte County, IN votes to keep five books challenged for LGBTQ+ content, restrict one
- Laurel School Board, MT school board restricts six books after purchasing them; most have LGBTQ+ themes
- Monroe County, GA retains two YA LGBTQ+ books following challenge
- Plattsmouth, NE voters oust book banning school board member
- Rockingham County, VA school board adopts “temporary” ban first, ask questions later approach, removing 57 books
- Sarasota County School Board recommends temporary book bans pending evaluation, an ineffective policy that encourages unnecessary challenges