🔥 Banned for mature content and themes of identity and religion — but revered for its literary brilliance.

James Baldwin’s semi-autobiographical novel follows a young boy in Harlem grappling with faith, family, and identity. It’s a coming-of-age story filled with gospel, guilt, and hope.

Why it was banned: LGBTQ+ themes, religious critique, and complex sexuality.

Recommended for: Adult readers, literature students, and fans of deep, emotional narratives that don’t flinch.