Book Bans and Attempted Bans Remain at Record Highs, With “Sold” Topping the List
Book bans and attempted bans remain at record highs, according to the American Library Association, as efforts to remove titles from libraries grow more coordinated and politicized.
The ALA on Monday issued its annual list of the books most challenged at the country’s libraries as part of the State of America’s Libraries Report. Patricia McCormick’s “Sold,” a 2006 novel about sex trafficking in India, topped the list for 2025. Other frequently challenged titles include Stephen Chbosky’s high school novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer,” and Sarah J. Maas’ romantasy novel “Empire of Storms.”
The ALA typically highlights 10 books each year, but this year’s list includes 11 due to a four-way tie for eighth place. Those titles are Anthony Burgess’ dystopian novel “A Clockwork Orange,” Ellen Hopkins’ “Identical,” John Green’s “Looking for Alaska,” and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s “Storm and Fury.”
Common Reasons for Challenges
Objections to these books often cite LGBTQ+ themes, as seen with “Gender Queer” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” depictions of sexual violence in works like “Sold” and “A Clockwork Orange,” and references to alcohol and cigarettes in “Looking for Alaska.”
Overall, the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded challenges to 4,235 different works in 2025, the second-highest number since tracking began more than 30 years ago. The highest total, 4,240, was recorded in 2023.
The association defines a challenge as an attempt to have a library resource removed or access to it restricted based on objections from an individual or group. This year’s report was released during National Library Week, which runs through April 25.
“Libraries exist to make space for every story and every lived experience,” ALA President Sam Helmick said in a statement. “As we celebrate National Library Week, we reaffirm that libraries are places for knowledge, for access, and for all.”
The ALA compiles its data using media reports and submissions from libraries, noting that the actual number of challenges is likely higher because many incidents go unreported.
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Shift Toward Organized Campaigns
For decades, most challenges came from parents or local community members. In recent years, the ALA says the trend has shifted toward government officials and organized activist groups such as Moms for Liberty, which promotes parental control over school and library materials.
States including Florida, Texas, and Utah have introduced or passed measures restricting access to certain books. In Iowa, an appellate court recently ruled that the state can enforce a law limiting discussions of LGBTQ+ topics for students in kindergarten through sixth grade and restricting some books.
More than 90% of challenges in 2025 came from activists and government officials, according to the ALA, compared to 72% the previous year.
“In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents, and they were not the result of local grassroots efforts,” said Sarah Lamdan, executive director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “They were part of a well-funded, politically driven campaign.”
Lamdan said activists often circulate lists of targeted books nationwide. The ALA found that more than 5,600 removals occurred, exceeding the number of individual titles challenged.
“I think this reflects the reality that these lists are getting disseminated widely,” Lamdan said. “You can see video footage from various library board meetings where the same books are singled out over and over again.”
Most Challenged Books of 2025
1. “Sold” by Patricia McCormick
2. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
3. “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe
4. “Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas
5. (tie) “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo
5. (tie) “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins
7. “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
8. (tie) “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess
8. (tie) “Identical” by Ellen Hopkins
8. (tie) “Looking for Alaska” by John Green
8. (tie) “Storm and Fury” by Jennifer L. Armentrout
