L8r, g8r / Lists

This was the second top category of banned books according to Pen America (https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/)

Metadata for books included:

"Gender Queer: A Memoir" By Maia Kobabe
This is one of the most banned book in the U.S. This graphic novel depicts Kobabe’s personal journey with gender identity and sexual orientation. This book discusses the authors journey from the confusion of adolescent crushes to the struggles of coming out, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction and facing traumas.

"All Boys Aren’t Blue" by George M. Johnson
This is a young adult nonfiction "memoir-manifesto" by the journalist and activist author. The book consists of a series of essays following Johnson's journey growing up as a queer Black man in New Jersey and Virginia. It is another of the most commonly banned books due to discussions of sexuality, gender.

"Beyond Magenta" by Susan Kucklin
For this collection of essays, the author met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults, describing their sense of identity before, during, and after transitioning. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

"This Book is Gay" by James Dawson
This book is a memoir about a young person coming to terms with her sexuality and her 'coming out', as well as her first relationship. This is often banned because of conversations about gender identity and sexuality.

"Thirteen Reasons Why" By Jay Asher
The original book that inspired the widely popular Netflix series in 2017 is about a young high school freshman’s motivations behind her suicide, disturbingly portrays the devastating repercussions of experiencing trauma in adolescence. This has been banned because of sexual discussions and suicide.

"L8r, G8r" by Lauren Myracle
This is the third book in Myracle's "Internet Girls" series. This story is a coming-of-age tale for young girls written entirely in internet-speak and instant messages. It has been removed from multiple schools for its use of profanity and its themes of sexuality as part of its plot.

Florida has the third most book challenges in 2023 according to the ALA (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data)

The books on this list were taken from Tampa's local news (https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/education/florida-banned-more-than-300-books-from-schools/67-4643cdf2-777b-4805-aae4-e22485285fda)

Metadata for books included:

"A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas
This is a popular series of fantasy novels about a young woman who is taken to a faerie kingdom at war. These books are banned in numerous school districts around the country because they contain sex scenes and themes of abusive relationships.

"Lucky" by Alice Sebold
This is a memoir written by the author of the popular book "The Lovely Bones". In this memoir Sebold details in explicit detail her rape and brutal assault while a freshman in the 1980’s. While the depiction of sexual assault is the reason for its banning, it is really about what happens after and her experiences navigating family, friends, the medical establishment and the legal system.

"L8r, G8r" by Lauren Myracle
This is the third book in Myracle's "Internet Girls" series. This story is a coming-of-age tale for young girls written entirely in internet-speak and instant messages. It has been removed from multiple schools for its use of profanity and its themes of sexuality as part of its plot.

"Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" by Jesse Andrews
This is a novel about a socially awkward high school senior who, along with his friend and fellow amateur filmmaker, befriends a classmate who is dying of leukemia. Though the novel is very popular, it has been frequently banned due to complaints about sexually explicit content as well as discussions of death and dying deemed inappropriate.

"The Sun and Her Flowers" by Rupi Kaur
This is the poet's second book of poetry, a follow-up to the immensely popular "Milk and Honey”, which was also widely banned when released. This collection, like the first, touches on themes of abuse, trauma, infanticide and violence.