Surge in Book Bans Reported by ALA in US Libraries for 2025

The American Library Association (ALA) has unveiled alarming figures in its 2025 State of America’s Libraries Report, revealing an unprecedented rise in book challenges across US libraries. The report emphasizes that efforts to ban or restrict titles are increasingly becoming politically motivated and organized.

Most Challenged Book of 2025

Patricia McCormick’s “Sold”, a compelling narrative addressing sex trafficking in India, has emerged as the top challenged book of 2025.

Additional frequently challenged titles include:

• “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky

• “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe

• “Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas

• “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas

• “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo

• “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins

• “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess

• “Identical” by Ellen Hopkins

• “Looking for Alaska” by John Green

• “Storm and Fury” by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Motivations Behind Challenges

The ALA attributes the growing list of objections to various factors:

• LGBTQ+ themes

• Content involving sexual violence

• Alcohol and smoking references

• Adult or mature themes

Titles like “Gender Queer” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” have faced challenges primarily for their LGBTQ+ content, while “Sold” and “A Clockwork Orange” have been criticized for themes of sexual violence.

Record Number of Challenges

The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom documented challenges involving 4,235 books in 2025, falling just short of the 4,240 challenges recorded in 2023, which has been the highest level since the ALA started tracking these incidents over three decades ago.

Moreover, the report highlights over 5,600 instances of book removals, indicating that the number of books banned often surpasses the challenges recorded.

Trends in Book Bans

The ALA notes a significant shift, with political organizations and officials increasingly leading the charge against book challenges, rather than individual citizens or local parent groups.

In the previous year, over 90% of challenges originated from activists and officials, a sharp rise from 72% in 2024. Organizations like Moms for Liberty have been pivotal in orchestrating campaigns for book bans across the nation.

State-Level Initiatives

Multiple states, such as Florida, Texas, and Utah, have enacted laws or guidelines restricting certain books and educational content. A recent court decision in Iowa allowed for the enforcement of a law limiting discussions on LGBTQ+ topics in early education and access to specific books.

ALA's Position

Sam Helmick, president of ALA, emphasizes that libraries should embody the diversity of voices and experiences. During National Library Week, the association reaffirmed its commitment to keeping libraries as bastions for free information access.

Sarah Lamdan from ALA also noted that many of the ongoing book bans are part of larger, nationally coordinated campaigns, with the same titles being recurrently targeted in various states.