The American Library Association has released its annual list of the most challenged books in the United States, revealing that efforts to ban titles from libraries and schools remain at record highs. The 2025 report highlights a significant shift in who is driving these challenges, with political campaigns and government officials now playing a dominant role.
Record Numbers and Coordinated Efforts
According to the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, there were challenges to 4,235 different works in 2025. This staggering figure is only slightly below the record of 4,240 set in 2023, marking the second-highest total since the association began tracking data over thirty years ago. The actual number of incidents is likely much higher, as many challenges go unreported.
"In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents, and they were not the result of local grassroots efforts," stated Sarah Lamdan, executive director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. "They were part of a well-funded, politically-driven campaign."
The Changing Face of Book Challenges
For decades, challenges typically originated from individual parents or local community members. However, the ALA's latest findings indicate a dramatic shift. In 2025, more than 90% of challenges came from activists and government officials, compared to 72% in 2024. Conservative groups like Moms for Liberty have been particularly influential, advocating for "parental choice" in determining what materials are available in educational settings.
States including Florida, Texas, and Utah have been at the forefront of book ban efforts, passing restrictive legislation and calling for removals. In Iowa, an appellate court recently ruled that the state can enforce a law limiting discussions of LGBTQ+ topics in early grades and banning certain books.
The 2025 Most Challenged Books
The ALA typically features ten books on its annual list, but this year includes eleven due to a four-way tie for eighth place. The objections span various themes, from LGBTQ+ content and sexual violence to depictions of alcohol and cigarette use.
Top Titles and Reasons for Challenges:
- Sold by Patricia McCormick (topped the list) – objections to sexual violence
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – LGBTQ+ themes
- Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe – LGBTQ+ themes
- Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas – romantic fantasy content
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo – LGBTQ+ themes
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins – mature content
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – romantic fantasy content
- A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (tied for eighth) – sexual violence
- Identical by Ellen Hopkins (tied for eighth) – sibling drama themes
- Looking for Alaska by John Green (tied for eighth) – use of alcohol and cigarettes
- Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout (tied for eighth) – paranormal romance content
Actual Removals Exceed Challenges
Perhaps most concerning is that the number of books actually removed from shelves—more than 5,600—far exceeds the number formally challenged. This discrepancy suggests that targeted lists are being widely disseminated, leading to preemptive bans without individual challenges.
"I think this reflects the reality that these lists are getting disseminated widely," Lamdan explained. "You can see video footage from various library board meetings where the same books are singled out over and over again." This pattern echoes findings from PEN America, which previously documented multiple bannings of titles like Sold and A Clockwork Orange.
Defending Intellectual Freedom
The ALA released its report during National Library Week, which runs through April 25. In a statement, ALA President Sam Helmick emphasized the core mission of libraries: "Libraries exist to make space for every story and every lived experience. As we celebrate National Library Week, we reaffirm that libraries are places for knowledge, for access, and for all."
The association defines a challenge as "an attempt to have a library resource removed, or access to it restricted, based on the objections of a person or group." The data is compiled through media accounts and submissions from libraries across the country.
As book bans continue to rise, the debate over intellectual freedom, censorship, and the role of libraries in American society shows no signs of abating. The 2025 report underscores how this issue has become increasingly politicized, with far-reaching implications for access to diverse perspectives and information.
