‘Thirteen Reasons’ tops list of banned books

Though the seven-book “Harry Potter” series is known for its enormous success, the books have also long been targets for removal and restriction in libraries and schools, even sometimes burned because people believe they glorified magic and the occult.

Banned Books Week, which begins Sunday, exists to support the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those considered unorthodox or unpopular. The week was started about the time of the Island Trees School District v. Pico Supreme Court case in 1982, which ruled that school officials can’t ban books in libraries simply because of their content.

With that, here’s a look at the top 5 books that were challenged or banned in 2017:

1. “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher

Originally published in 2007, this New York Times best-seller 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” 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” 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” by Alex Gino

Written for elementaryage children, this Lambda Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.