Posted in: Comics | Tagged: banned books, censorship, Comics, comics censorship, drama, graphic novels, HRL, Raina Telgemeier

Raina Telgemeier's 'Drama' on Most Banned Books List for Third Year

For 2016, the American Library Association had a record year for comic books in their Top 10 Frequently Challenged list — or the Banned Books list. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki topped the chart, with Drama by Raina Telgemeier at number two. Big Hard Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky landed at number seven.

2015 had two — Fun Home by Alison Bechdel and Habibi by Craig Thompson at seven and eight.

2014 had Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi, Saga by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples, and Drama by Raina Telgemeier.

2013 had Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey and Bone by Jeff Smith.

2012 had only Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey.

And that was the first.

But for 2017? Just Drama by Raina Telgemeier at number four, its third appearance in the list for having the temerity to feature LGBT characters.

Are comics doing something right? Or something wrong?

Here's the full list for 2017 in video form.

Top 10 Challenged Books of 2017

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 354 challenges to library, school and university materials in 2017. Of the 416 books challenged or banned in 2017, the Top 10 Most Challenged Books are

1. Thirteen Reasons Why written by Jay Asher
   Originally published in 2007, this New York Times bestseller has resurfaced as a controversial book after Netflix aired a TV series by the same name. This YA novel was challenged and banned in multiple school districts because it discusses suicide.
2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie
   Consistently challenged since its publication in 2007 for acknowledging issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality, this National Book Award winner was challenged in school curriculums because of profanity and situations that were deemed sexually explicit.
3. Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
   This Stonewall Honor Award-winning, 2012 graphic novel from an acclaimed cartoonist was challenged and banned in school libraries because it includes LGBT characters and was considered "confusing."
4. The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini
   This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to "lead to terrorism" and "promote Islam."
5. George written by Alex Gino
   Written for elementary-age children, this Lambda Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.
6. Sex is a Funny Word written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth
   This 2015 informational children's book written by a certified sex educator was challenged because it addresses sex education and is believed to lead children to "want to have sex or ask questions about sex."
7. To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee
   This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an American classic, was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word.
8. The Hate U Give written by Angie Thomas
   Despite winning multiple awards and being the most searched-for book on Goodreads during its debut year, this YA novel was challenged and banned in school libraries and curriculums because it was considered "pervasively vulgar" and because of drug use, profanity, and offensive language.
9. And Tango Makes Three written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole
   Returning after a brief hiatus from the Top Ten Most Challenged list, this ALA Notable Children's Book, published in 2005, was challenged and labeled because it features a same-sex relationship.
10. I Am Jazz written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
    This autobiographical picture book co-written by the 13-year-old protagonist was challenged because it addresses gender identity.

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