California sees increase in book titles challenged
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California saw more books challenged from 2022 to 2023, according to the American Library Association.
Why it matters: California is often considered a haven for LGBTQ and other marginalized communities, but the rise of book-ban attempts across the country has led to a similar push in the Golden State.
Driving the news: In 2023, 98 titles were challenged in California, up from 87 in 2022, Axios' Shawna Chen and Jennifer A. Kingson report.
- Books drawing the most ban attempts were the same as in 2022: "Gender Queer: A Memoir" and "Beyond Magenta."
State of play: In California, LGBTQ-related materials have faced the bulk of blowback in schools and libraries — most visibly at drag queen story hours.
Zoom in: San Diego Public Library branches received five book challenges in the past five years, including two last year, KPBS reported in February.
- The library also joined with others in Seattle, Boston and Los Angeles in a program called Books Unbanned, which provides library cards to people from other states to access banned books.
What we're watching: In September, Newsom signed into law a bill prohibiting schools from banning books on racial or LGBTQ teachings — authorities that defy this legislation could face fines.
- Attorney General Rob Bonta and state Superintendent Tony Thurmond have also cautioned educators against pursuing book bans and highlighted constitutional protections against such actions.