Yes, Riot Baby Is Banned!
ISBN: 9781250214751
Riot Baby follows Ella and her younger brother Kevin, known as Kev. Ella was born during the 1992 Rodney King riots and possesses devastating telekinetic powers. Kev grows up in Harlem and ends up incarcerated on Rikers Island. As Ella’s power grows, she faces a choice: use it to burn the unjust system to the ground, or find another way.
A Hugo, Nebula, and Locus finalist, the novella has been challenged for violence, racial themes, and profanity. Onyebuchi uses speculative fiction to compress centuries of Black American oppression into a gut-punch of a story, and its unflinching anger has made it a target for removal.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riot Baby banned?
Yes, Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi has been banned or challenged in 4 documented instances across 2 states in the United States, including Texas, Florida. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was Riot Baby banned?
Riot Baby has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Violence, Racial Themes, Profanity. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is Riot Baby banned?
As of 2025, Riot Baby has been banned or challenged in Texas, Florida. Notable bans include Keller ISD (2022), Clay County School District (2023).