US Libraries Witness Record High in Book Bans During 2025
The American Library Association (ALA) has disclosed a concerning surge in book censorship across the United States, with 2025 marking a record high of 5,668 books banned in libraries. This figure represents 66% of the total titles challenged, alongside an additional 920 books censored through access restrictions, such as being relocated on shelves.
Most-Banned Titles and Key Statistics
The most-banned book of the year was Sold, a 2006 novel by Patricia McCormick that addresses sex trafficking in India. Other frequently challenged works include The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, and Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas. According to the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), challenges were recorded against 4,235 unique titles in 2025, the second-highest number since tracking began over three decades ago, only slightly below the 4,240 titles in 2023.
Notably, 40% of the challenged materials involved representations of LGBTQ+ individuals or people of colour, highlighting a targeted effort against diverse narratives. The ALA's annual list of the most-banned books expanded to 11 titles this year due to ties, compiled from analysis of 713 censorship attempts, with 487 specifically targeting books.
Political Coordination and Legal Context
The report underscores a shift towards more coordinated and politically motivated challenges. In 2025, 92% of bans originated from pressure groups, decision-makers, or government officials, a significant increase from 72% in 2024. In contrast, only 2.7% were attributed to parents and 1.4% to individual library users. Sarah Lamdan, executive director of OIF, emphasised that these bans are part of a well-funded campaign to suppress stories from LGBTQIA+ and Bipoc communities, rather than grassroots efforts.
Several states, including Florida, Texas, and Utah, have enforced laws limiting or removing books from schools, often focusing on content related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or materials deemed harmful to minors. In Iowa, an appellate court recently upheld a law restricting LGBTQ+ discussions in certain grades and banning select books.
Definitions and Broader Implications
The ALA defines a challenge as an attempt to remove or restrict access to library resources, while a ban refers to the actual removal of materials. This distinction highlights the escalating nature of censorship efforts. The trend raises alarms about intellectual freedom and the preservation of diverse voices in public and educational spaces.
The full list of the most challenged books in 2025 includes:
- Sold, by Patricia McCormick
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
- Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe
- Empire of Storms, by Sarah J Maas
- (tie) Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo
- (tie) Tricks, by Ellen Hopkins
- A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J Maas
- (tie) A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
- (tie) Identical, by Ellen Hopkins
- (tie) Looking for Alaska, by John Green
- (tie) Storm and Fury, by Jennifer L Armentrout
This data underscores a growing movement against literary diversity, with implications for free expression and access to information in the United States.
