Find your next great read to celebrate Banned Books Week by exploring my reviews of the best banned YA books and why you should read them.

The only good thing to come from banning books from teenagers is that it drives up their popularity. What’s better than forbidden fruit, right? If it’s banned, it must be good. For example, when you look at the 10 Literary Classics That Have Been Banned, you’ll see titles that have become some of our literary staples today, such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

In YA, the choices for my generation were much fewer than they are today, although Judy Blume, author of Forever and Blubber, managed to have her work added to banned book lists too. Guess what? Everyone read them. And classics like The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, which have been challenged for strong language, underage smoking, and the portrayal of gang violence, are just as likely to be taught in school as classic literature. Go figure.

Censorship of YA books is dumb. That’s why I’m sharing my list of the best banned YA books and why you should read them immediately. Discuss them. Start a book club with your parents (or teens) and friends and talk about them.

1.      The Digital Age Makes Banning Books Silly

My parents had much greater ability to block my reading habits if they wanted. They could have restricted my public library access, and as a teen, I didn’t have money to buy books on my own. There wasn’t an Internet or eBooks. However, they had a ginormous bookshelf of science fiction and horror books that I was free to read. Did I encounter some “adult” themes while I devoured Stephen King novels in middle school? Yes. Was I reading for fun? Yes. Hallelujah!

But today, banning books just seems silly. By the time they reach their teens, most students have smart phones with unlimited access to the Internet and the ability to download and read anything they want. If a school or library decides that Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee should be banned, students can simply download the titles and read or listen to them on their phones. Who can stop this? What is the point of banning these books?

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Banned Reason:  Discusses suicide

Hannah Baker committed suicide, and she left behind 13 tapes explaining why she did it.

When Clay receives these tapes, he goes on a journey to understand why she did it. It’s a terrible story involving crimes, and with every tape, there is suspense in wondering how Clay contributed to this girl’s death.

Clay is a nice guy. He has a thing for Hannah. It doesn’t seem he could have anything to do with it, but this story shows how you often don’t know what another person is going through.

Jay Asher’s popular novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, is one of the best YA books about suicide, and it’s one of the most popular YA books about bullying. It became a super-popular series on Netflix; there’s a reason it has become a #1 New York Times and International Bestseller. Thirteen Reasons Why definitely belongs on the list of best banned YA books to read.

Another reason why banning books is foolishness in the digital age is because students can find and read books that never even arrive at school libraries for the local school boards, librarians, and other “powers that be” to ban. With Kindle Unlimited, teens can discover and download independent novels about suicide and depression to a free Kindle app on their phone.

Straight A’s by Khristina Chess

Kim is planning to kill herself.

Kim was supposed to be valedictorian of her class, but then her parents split, and everything went wrong. She’s bouncing between them and trying to carry the weight of their emotional meltdowns on top of her own stuff, and it’s just too much. Too much!

With time running out in the semester and academic pressures mounting, depression threatens to overwhelm her. Getting straight A’s means everything: scholarships, acceptance to top schools, everything! Earning a B in calculus is unacceptable.

As she makes secret preparations to commit suicide, the last thing she expects is to fall for the cute new guy in Writer’s Club.

Wonderful, a real page-turner! Straight A’s grabbed and held my interest all the way. What I love most about this book is Kim’s resilient character and her emotions as events escalate toward the story’s climax. It’s a great positive message for youths. This is the kind of authentic novel that really shows how someone can fall into a downward spiral of despair and see no way out of their own circumstances.

You won’t want to miss this frank YA book about suicide, depression, and anxiety struggles. In fact, Khristina Chess is an author listed on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited, and plenty of this content is ban-worthy: unplanned pregnancy, drugs, anorexia, alcohol, rape, and self-harming. Tough topics. I’m sure most of these would be banned from school libraries if this author wasn’t banned from school libraries simply based on being an indie author.

2.      Books Are Not Bad

I never want to be afraid to read books—any books, not even books whose content I might disagree with. Words and ideas are information that a thinking person can use to make better decisions. I want to always be free to choose for myself whether or not to read a particular book. Shouldn’t young adults also be able to make up their minds about what to read, particularly 15-18-year-olds who are developing their intellect?

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Banned Reason:  Drug Use, Profanity, Offensive Language, Anti-Police Message

I saw this book everywhere and picked it up, wondering what all the fuss is about. Wow. I couldn't put it down. Starr is an amazing character in a perfectly-crafted situation that screams with tension, suspense, and emotion. Her emotions are raw and authentic. You can feel her little-girl timidity in the grand jury testimony and her grief and rage in the scene with Hailey. Her world is vivid and real. The pain of her dual life and the conflict it causes her is palatable. I loved this book. I love this girl. I want to see her again, doing more, making a difference. She's made me believe in her.

And after reading this one, I wanted to read everything Angie Thomas has written and also added her to my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited because she’s so amazing! If you’re looking for more profanity and offensive language (and great stories and characters), she writes some of the best banned YA books, and you should read them.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Banned Reason:  Offensive Language

It's been a long time since I've encountered a novel that I literally couldn't put down. Eleanor & Park was one of those books. Enchanting. I loved every minute. I sat on the porch, on the couch, on the floor by the window... and devoured this book. It was a wonderful reading experience about first love. Sweet and heartbreaking and everything I wanted. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, romantic young love story.

Offensive language? I don’t even know what they’re talking about.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Avecedo

Banned Reason:  Profanity, Sexual References, and “Anti-Christian” Content

What a surprising and lyrical story!

I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, which is told entirely in verse, but I couldn’t put it down. Xiaomara is a young girl whose traditional Catholic mother prohibits her from doing anything. Xiomara is a good and dutiful daughter. But she wants to participate in the poetry group.

The mother-daughter relationship was well-developed, and there was a powerful moment when the mother did something truly awful. Moments like those between mothers and daughters are the ones that can define the relationship forever. I liked the choices Xiaomara made in response to that. In fact, all of the primary and secondary characters played important roles in her journey. I loved her father, the teacher, the priest; it was refreshing to see so many supportive adults in a young person’s life in a YA novel.

This award-winning banned YA book definitely deserves all the accolades, hype, and great reviews it has received and belongs on the list of the best YA book recommendations for all ages. Not banned.

3.      Banning Books Doesn’t Erase Teen Problems

Okay, so parents censor the books that their fragile children are reading, and now nothing bad will happen to them, right? Wrong. The bullies are still in their schools, as well as the drugs. Guess what? Girls still get raped at parties, and girls still cut themselves and drink too much, and kids die from driving while under the influence. Removing book about tough topics from school libraries doesn’t stop bad things from happening. Regarding teen issues, here are a few of the best banned YA books and why you should read them.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Banned Reason:  Inclusion of rape and profanity, biased against male students, a political viewpoint

Just before beginning high school, Melinda Sordino is raped at a party, and as a result of this experience, she can’t speak. Everyone hates her at school. Her parents aren’t very supportive. She feels alone, depressed, powerless, and unsafe everywhere except in art class.

When her friend starts a relationship with her rapist, Melinda speaks.

This is an important banned YA book about rape that shows how victims feel silenced by their assailant and the culture around them and how speaking out can liberate.

If you’re looking for one of the best banned YA books, Speak belongs in your TBR pile. In fact, Laurie Halse Anderson is an author listed on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited, and plenty of her content is also ban-worthy. Check it out!

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Banned Reason:  Sexual Content, Mental Illness, Teen Suicide

Theodore Finch has more than a touch of the blues.

Violet Markey wants to escape the grief that lives in her hometown where her sister recently died.

Violet and Theodore are an unlikely couple, paired together on a school project to explore the natural wonders of their state. At first, Theodore seems to be the one helping Violet with her sadness, but Violet doesn’t have any understanding about the depth of Theodore’s despair. Along their journey, they make several unexpected discoveries about one another.

After re-reading this book a second time, I enjoyed it every bit as much as the the first. I liked the writing, the dual character viewpoints, the story, the language, and the symbolism.

Blue is a primary color.

This is a tragic YA book about star-crossed lovers that stayed with me for a long time and has no business on a banned YA book list. After re-reading this book a second time, I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first. I liked the writing, the dual character viewpoints, and the story. I felt that Jennifer Niven handled a difficult subject many teens face with personal honesty and resonance, and that’s all the more reason why you should read it.

4.  It’s about Power, Not Helping

Maybe people who want to censor the reading material of others truly believe their motives are well-intentioned and good. Their concern comes from a well-intentioned place. Maybe. My perception is that those who want to control others, like the book-banners in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, really just want power.

• I know what’s best for you.

• I know what you can handle (and what you can’t)

• I know what you need (and you don’t)

• I know what’s right and wrong (and you don’t)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Banned Reason:  Profanity, Sexually Explicit Situations

Junior Spirit is a courageous boy who dares to leave the reservation, his school, and his best friend to seek a different life. His story is funny, heartbreaking, inspiring, and brave. I loved his quirky voice, his cartoons, and I cheered so hard for him in his basketball game.

This novel highlights the contrast between extreme poverty and wealth, as well as racial differences. These themes are handled with humor and sensitivity.

The writing in this book is delightful. It’s one of the best banned YA books in the list, and laughter is why you should read it.

Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Banned Reason:  Sexually Explicit and Degrading to Women

How can a book about a teenage girl dying from leukemia be so funny?

Greg and Earl are weird, unlikely friends and amateur filmmakers who manage to fly below the radar at school and enjoy their private world. Then Greg’s mom makes him reach out to Rachel, a childhood friend who has been diagnosed with leukemia and needs a friend.

Earl turns out to be the more compassionate of the pair, and the two of them set out to make a movie about Rachel. Their brilliant idea fails in execution and is the Worst Film Ever Made.

This fun, funny, and all-around wonderful banned YA book is full of crude humor, heart, honesty, and surprises as Greg learns things about his long-time friend Earl, as well as himself, through this journey with the dying girl, Rachel. I can’t say enough good about it. Buy it. Read it. Laugh.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Banned Reason:  Sex, Profanity, Homosexuality, Undermining Religious Beliefs

A quiet boy at boarding school meets a charismatic girl, then loses her.

Miles Halter goes away to boarding school, where he makes new friends, takes up drinking and smoking, breaks some rules, and meets a hot girl named Alaska Young. She’s the ringleader of the merry group’s adventures. She’s the one who can get alcohol and cigarettes.

She’s a bit wild.

Then one night while they’re all partying, she receives a phone call and takes off in her car. She never returns.

Like The Poet X, this lovely award-winning banned YA book definitely deserves all the accolades, hype, and great reviews it has received.

Other Banned YA Books and Why You Should Read Them

If you are looking for some other great banned YA books to read, check out the Banned & Challenged YA Novels and Best Banned, Censored, and Challenged Books lists on Goodreads. You will find dozens of great choices. And in those lists, be sure to check out 1984 by George Orwell, which is a classic in the book-banning genre.

And that’s it. These are my top picks, my reviews, and my reasons why I think censorship is dumb. Read, read it all! Have an opinion about what you read; it’s called a book review.

You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which has a comprehensive list of reviews of YA books by category. There’s something for everyone.

What about you? What’s on your list of the best banned YA books and why you should read them?

Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.