Banning books is not a new phenomenon. But more recently, in 2021, debates against the academic framework of critical race theory opened the door for a series of book bans. From state and local school districts banning award-winning literature like "The 1619 Project" and "The Hate You Give" to a plethora of bills and legislation controlling the means in which school districts can discuss race with students, there have been numerous recent efforts to restrict the free speech of Black authors and educators. Just this January, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' administration rejected The College Board's new African American History Advanced Placement curriculum. The final curriculum released in February censored themes of Black queerness and Black feminism, along with several other topics tied to race and identity.
While banning books does not make them illegal, it does make them harder to find at your local bookstore or school library. Below are 12 highly-acclaimed banned and challenged books by Black authors for readers of all ages.