Maia Kobabe's 'Gender Queer' tops list of most criticized library books for third straight year
Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer” continues its troubled run as the country’s most controversial book, topping the American Library Association’s “challenged books” list for a third straight year
NEW YORK (AP) — Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer” continues its troubled run as the country’s most controversial book, topping the American Library Association’s “challenged books” list for a third straight year.
Kobabe’s coming-of-age story was published in 2019, and received the library association’s Alex Award for best young adult literature. But it has since been at the heart of debates over library content, with conservative organizations such as Moms for Liberty contending that parents should have more power to determine what books are available. Politicians have condemned “Gender Queer” and school systems in Florida, Texas and elsewhere have banned it. Last December, police in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, responded to a complaint from a custodian about the book by showing up and searching for it in an 8th grade classroom.
The ALA released its list Monday, along with its annual State of America’s Libraries Report.
“A few advocacy groups have made 'Gender Queer' a lightning rod,” says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the association's Office for Intellectual Freedom. ”People are trying to shut down conversation about gender identity."
