(704) 599-9810 | Worship Sundays @ 10:55 a.m.
(704) 599-9810 | Worship Sundays @ 10:55 a.m.
Sep 18, 2025
At Holy Covenant, we believe access to ideas matters. Our Banned Book Library is a small, growing collection you can borrow from on Sundays — a practical way to stand for curiosity, compassion, and the freedom to read. Stop by the display, pick up a title, and join the conversation.
Challenged means someone has formally requested a book be removed or restricted in a library or school. A challenge seeks to limit access for others.
Banned means the removal or formal prohibition of a book from a library or school collection. Sometimes a title remains available only with limited or conditional access (for example, in a restricted section).
(Definitions adapted from the American Library Association.)
The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 821 attempts to censor library materials in 2024, targeting 2,452 unique titles. While the volume fluctuates year to year, organized efforts to restrict access continue to affect both school and public libraries nationwide.
Banned Books Week • October 5–11, 2025
An annual nationwide event that highlights the harms of censorship and celebrates the freedom to read. Come browse HCUCC’s Banned Book Library this Sunday, choose a title, and reflect with us on how reading expands empathy, strengthens critical thinking, and supports a just community.
These summaries highlight themes of resilience, justice, compassion, and belonging. Each of these books has been challenged — but all invite deep reflection and dialogue.
#1 — All Boys Aren’t Blue
George M. Johnson
Summary: Memoir-style reflections on family, identity, and the journey of growing up Black and queer.
Why Challenged: LGBTQ+ themes, frank discussions of identity.
#2 — Gender Queer: A Memoir
Maia Kobabe
Summary: A graphic memoir exploring gender identity, belonging, and self-understanding.
Why Challenged: Illustrations, LGBTQ+ themes.
#3 — The Bluest Eye
Toni Morrison
Summary: A novel about a young girl longing to be seen as beautiful in a world that tells her otherwise.
Why Challenged: Depictions of trauma and abuse.
#4 — The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky
Summary: A coming-of-age story about friendship, healing, and finding one’s voice in community.
Why Challenged: Mental health, relationships, language.
#5 — Tricks
Ellen Hopkins
Summary: A verse novel about five teens navigating difficult paths and searching for hope.
Why Challenged: Sexually explicit material, mature themes.
#6 — Looking for Alaska
John Green
Summary: A story about friendship, grief, and searching for meaning in life’s hardest moments.
Why Challenged: Profanity, adult themes.
#7 — Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Jesse Andrews
Summary: A heartfelt, humorous novel about friendship, creativity, and facing illness together.
Why Challenged: Mature themes, illness, language.
#8 — Crank
Ellen Hopkins
Summary: A verse novel exploring choices, addiction, and resilience with honesty and empathy.
Why Challenged: Drug use, explicit content.
#9 — Sold
Patricia McCormick
Summary: A young adult novel telling the story of courage and survival against human trafficking.
Why Challenged: Violence, sexual exploitation themes.
#10 — Flamer
Mike Curato
Summary: Graphic novel about a teen at summer camp, navigating faith, identity, and acceptance.
Why Challenged: LGBTQ+ content, sensitive themes.
In our church communications, we’ll keep language clear and invitational. Rather than quoting others’ characterizations, we’ll stay focused on facts, learning, and pastoral welcome — and invite readers to explore the books themselves.
📖 Take & Read: Visit the Banned Book Library display this Sunday, choose a book, and let us know what you’re reading! We’ll also highlight a new data point each week from ALA’s “Censorship by the Numbers” to keep the conversation grounded.
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