Books have been, and continue to be challenged and banned for a variety of reasons. According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, these are the most commonly cited reasons, with the most popular reasons indicated in larger font:
It might be closer than you think! This map represent the reported book bans and challenges that have occurred across the United States from 2007 to today: Book Bans and Challenges, 2007-2011 map.
Like the many reasons behind book challenges, the persons issuing them are also varied in nature. According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom, these are the most common initiators:
What does this really mean?
Challenged books: Materials that someone has attempted to remove or restrict from a curriculum or library collection.
Banned books: Materials that have been removed from a curriculum or library collection.
For more information, please see the American Library Association's Banned and Challenged Books website. More figures and charts are also available at their challenges statistics website.