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The books listed here have been placed in categories like language, violence, or political ideas. However, these labels don’t always reflect the actual content of the books. Many of these works are not “R-rated” like today’s movies. Instead, they often cover deep and important topics in thoughtful ways.
These books may challenge readers to think critically and see the world from new angles. They explore themes like identity, relationships, history, and human emotions. Their stories encourage growth and understanding rather than simply shocking readers. The substance they offer is meant to inspire learning and reflection.
When deciding whether these books belong on shelves, it’s important to look beyond the surface. They hold value in sparking conversations and helping readers grow. These works deserve thoughtful consideration for the lessons they teach and the insight they provide.
Here is the complete list of banned books in Clay County.
1. Sexual Content or Explicit Scenes
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
- Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
- The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
- The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
- It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
- Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
- A Court of Thorns and Roses (Series) by Sarah J. Maas
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
2. Violence or Graphic Depictions
- Carrie by Stephen King
- It by Stephen King
- Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
- Apt Pupil by Stephen King
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding
- Glass by Ellen Hopkins
3. LGBTQ+ Themes
- Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
- Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
- This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
- The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
- George by Alex Gino
- Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman
- I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
4. Religious or Political Content
- 1984 by George Orwell
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Ari Folman
5. Drug Use or Criminal Behavior
- Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
- Crank by Ellen Hopkins
- Smack by Melvin Burgess
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
6. Language or Profanity
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- Push by Sapphire
7. Sensitive Historical or Cultural Topics
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
- Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
8. Mental Health or Self-Harm
- Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
- Cut by Patricia McCormick
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
9. Miscellaneous/Other Themes
This category includes books that don’t fit neatly into the above or have multiple overlapping themes:
- A Game of Thrones (Series) by George R.R. Martin
- Twilight (Series) by Stephenie Meyer
- The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
- Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
- The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
Top Notable Books
- 1984 by George Orwell
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Top Notable Authors
- George Orwell – 1984, Animal Farm
- Margaret Atwood – The Handmaid’s Tale
- Toni Morrison – Beloved, The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon
- Harper Lee – To Kill a Mockingbird
- Kurt Vonnegut – Slaughterhouse-Five
- Alice Walker – The Color Purple
- Stephen King – Carrie, It, The Shining
- Laurie Halse Anderson – Speak, Wintergirls
- Angie Thomas – The Hate U Give
- J.D. Salinger – The Catcher in the Rye