This Week in Book Challenges

Here is an update on the latest book challenges for the week of January 31, 2024

• Alabama Public Library System has crowdsourced “blacklist” of 82 books

• Alachua County, FL's school board sparks debate with challenge system, then changes agenda to avoid it

• Cape Girardeau, MO Public Library board meeting shut down by disorderly conduct

• Kenosha, WI Unified School District improves review policy amid 38 challenges

• Nassau County, FL bans 34 books, including classics

• New Hampshire book ban bill is heard in committee 

• New York prisons frequently censor books about justice, review finds

• Newark, NJ superintendent bans Palestinian kids book, prompting outrage; school board changes policy in response

• North Hunterdon-Voorhees, NJ sees hundreds of supporters and opponents of book ban turn out to rescheduled meeting

• Pescadero, CA Municipal Advisory Council receives complaints about often-banned books, which often precedes formal challenge

• Petal, MS Alderman calls for ban on LGBTQ+ books

• Tennessee HB 1661 would allow 2% of district residents to restrict books for students

• Virginia Democrats propose law limiting local book bans