Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2025: ALA Report Highlights Rising Censorship Trends

Book bans and censorship efforts continued to surge across the United States in 2025, with new data from the American Library Association (ALA) shedding light on the scope and focus of these challenges.

According to the ALA, there were 713 documented attempts to censor library materials and services, with 487 of those specifically targeting books. The findings highlight an ongoing national conversation around intellectual freedom, access to information, and the role of libraries in diverse communities.

But beyond the numbers, the ALA is making a broader point about what is driving these challenges.

“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 ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “They were part of a well-funded, politically-driven campaign to suppress the stories and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals and communities.”

This statement underscores a key trend in recent years: many of the most frequently challenged books center around identity, sexuality, race, and lived experience.

Here are the Top 11 Most Challenged Titles of 2025, according to the ALA.

1. Sold by Patricia McCormick

Topping the list is Sold, a novel that explores the harrowing realities of human trafficking through the story of a young girl sold into sexual slavery.

The book has long been praised for raising awareness about a global issue, but it has also faced repeated challenges due to its difficult subject matter and depictions of abuse.

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

A modern classic, The Perks of Being a Wallflower continues to resonate with readers for its honest portrayal of adolescence, mental health, and identity.

However, its inclusion of topics such as sexuality, drug use, and trauma has made it a frequent target for censorship efforts.

3. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

One of the most frequently challenged books in recent years, Gender Queer remains at the center of ongoing debates around representation and access.

The graphic memoir explores Kobabe’s journey with gender identity and has been widely praised for its honesty, while also facing criticism and removal efforts in schools and libraries.

4. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Part of the popular Throne of Glass series, Empire of Storms is a bestselling fantasy novel that has found itself on the list due to its mature themes and romantic content.

Its inclusion reflects a broader trend of challenges to books within the fantasy and young adult genres.

5. (Tie) Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

This award winning novel tells the story of a Chinese American girl navigating identity and love in 1950s San Francisco.

Celebrated for its representation of LGBTQ+ and Asian American experiences, it has also become a target in broader efforts to restrict diverse narratives.

5. (Tie) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins’ Tricks examines the lives of five teenagers dealing with complex and often traumatic circumstances.

Known for her unflinching storytelling style, Hopkins frequently addresses controversial topics, which has led to repeated challenges of her work.

7. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Another Sarah J. Maas title on the list, this bestselling fantasy novel blends romance, adventure, and mythology.

While wildly popular among readers, it has been challenged for its mature themes and explicit content.

8. (Tie) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

A long debated classic, A Clockwork Orange continues to face scrutiny decades after its release.

The novel’s exploration of violence, free will, and morality has made it both a literary staple and a frequent subject of censorship discussions.

8. (Tie) Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Another entry from Ellen Hopkins, Identical dives into the lives of twin sisters dealing with abuse, identity, and trauma.

Like Tricks, it has been challenged for its graphic and emotionally intense subject matter.

8. (Tie) Looking for Alaska by John Green

John Green’s debut novel remains widely read and widely challenged.

Its themes of grief, sexuality, and coming-of-age experiences have sparked debates about its place in school curricula and library collections.

8. (Tie) Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rounding out the list is Storm and Fury, a fantasy novel that combines supernatural elements with romance.

Its presence highlights how even genre fiction is not immune from challenges, particularly when it includes mature themes.

A Broader Pattern in 2025

What stands out about the 2025 list is not just the titles themselves, but the patterns behind them.

Many of the books share common elements:

• LGBTQ+ representation
• Discussions of race and identity
• Depictions of trauma or difficult life experiences
• Mature or explicit content

This aligns with the ALA’s assertion that these challenges are part of a broader, coordinated effort rather than isolated concerns.

At the same time, several of these books are critically acclaimed, bestselling, or widely taught, which raises questions about how communities balance differing perspectives on access and appropriateness.

Why This Matters

Libraries have long been considered spaces for open access to information and ideas.

The rise in book challenges puts that role under increased scrutiny.

For readers, educators, and librarians, the issue goes beyond any single title. It touches on larger questions:

• Who decides what stories are available?
• What role should libraries play in representing diverse voices?
• How do communities navigate disagreements over content?

These are not easy questions, and they are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.

Conclusion

The ALA’s list of the most challenged books of 2025 offers a snapshot of a much larger cultural conversation.

While the titles vary in genre, style, and audience, they are united by their ability to spark discussion and, in some cases, controversy.

Whether viewed as essential reading or contentious material, these books are undeniably shaping the current literary landscape.

And as debates around censorship continue, one thing remains clear:

The conversation about what we read and who gets to decide has never been more relevant.

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