Teen Books for Freedom to Read WeekLike this list

18 items

• Flamer

  Curato, Mike

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  In May 2025, the Alberta Minister of Education named Flamer as one of four books with sexually explicit content that was unacceptable in any school library in the province. This effectively forced any school library in Alberta that had Flamer in its…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Speak

  Anderson, Laurie Halse

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  This book was challenged in 2025 at a Manitoba school system for being sexually explicit and violent. Originally published in 1999, Speak is an award-winning YA novel about a traumatic event near the end of the summer that has a devastating effect…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Like a Love Story

  Nazemian, Abdi

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  This teen novel was challenged in 2025 in Manitoba for being "sexually explicit" and pro LGBTQIA2S+. Like a Love Story is about three teens in 1989 New York navigating love, friendship, identity, and the AIDS crisis, as Reza, Judy, and Art confront…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Let's Talk About It

  the Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human

  Moen, Erika, 1983-

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  This book was challenged in Alberta for having explicit content. Let's Talk About It covers relationships, friendships, gender, sexuality, anatomy, body image, safe sex, sexting, jealousy, rejection, and sex education.

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower

  Chbosky, Stephen

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  This book made it to the number 4 spot of the American Library Association's most challenged books of 2023 list. The challenge claimed that this book is sexually explicit and has LGBTQIA2S+ content. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Heartstopper. Volume 1

  Oseman, Alice

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  Heartstopper was challenged at an Ontario library for being pro LGBTQIA2S+. Heartstopper is about shy and softhearted Charlie, who strikes up a friendship with rugby player Nick. As the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

  a Novel

  Andrews, Jesse

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  This book made it to the number 7 spot of the American Library Association's most challenged books of 2023 list for being sexually explicit and profane. It's about seventeen-year-old Greg, who has managed to become part of every social group at his…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Love on the Other Side

  a Nagabe Short Story Collection

  Nagabe

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  Love on the Other Side was challenged at a Canadian library in 2023 for depicting illegal behaviour. Love on the Other Side is a six-story manga collection that explores relationships that refuse to be confined: a magnificent bird comforts a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Loveless

  Oseman, Alice

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  Loveless was challenged at a Canadian library in 2023 for having objectionable content. Loveless is about Georgia, a teen just starting university, a confusing time for her. With new terms thrown at her -- asexual, aromantic -- Georgia is more…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Out of Darkness

  Pérez, Ashley Hope

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  Out of Darkness was one of the top 10 most challenged books in the United States in 2021 due to its depictions of abuse and its sexual content. Loosely based on a school explosion that took place in New London, Texas in 1937, this is the story of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Flowers of Evil Complete. 1

  Oshimi, Shūzō

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  This book was challenged in 2018 at Barrie Public Library for having inappropriate content. After a review of the book, it remained in the teen graphic novel collection. The Flowers of Evil is about teenager Takao Kasuga, a loner who enjoys reading…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dumplin'

  Murphy, Julie, 1985-

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  This book was challenged in 2019 by a Canadian parent who found the content too sexual and inappropriate. Dumplin' tells the story of sixteen-year-old Willowdean, who wants to prove to everyone in her small Texas town that she is more than just a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• This One Summer

  Tamaki, Mariko

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  In 2016, after a parent complaint, this title was removed from a Minnesota school library. The superintendent, librarian and principal found the topics in the book “inappropriate for inclusion in the library” and thought the language was…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Hate U Give

  Thomas, Angie

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  The Hate U Give was one of the top 10 most challenged books in the United States in 2021. It was challenged for profanity, violence, and because it was thought to promote an anti-police message. The Hate U Give is about Starr Carter, who moves…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Trouble Is a Friend of Mine

  Tromly, Stephanie

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  A Canadian teacher requested this book's removal in 2017 due to inappropriate themes. Zoe is a new student at school and she soon befriends Digby, a misfit who everyone knows because his sister disappeared eight years ago. Digby is dedicated to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Bridge of Clay

  Zusak, Markus

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  This book was challenged in 2019 in Canada for having inappropriate subject matter for teenagers; it was requested to be put in the adult collection instead. Published in 2018, this is the story of the Dunbar brothers, who have raised themselves…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• An Abundance of Katherines

  Green, John

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  This book was suspended from a Texas school district's approved book list for inappropriate subject matter in 2014 by the school superintendent. The decision sparked a backlash and drew national attention. The superintendent then reinstated the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Go Ask Alice

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  In 1978, school boards in British Columbia removed this book from their high schools due to inappropriate content. Students sent a petition to protest the ban, and parents requested that copies be kept in counsellors' offices, but these efforts…Read moreRead more of this annotation