ALA releases list of most challenged books of 2025

Since 1990, the American Library Association has tracked reported challenges to books in libraries and schools across the United States. A challenge is a formal complaint about a title and may lead to restriction, relocation, or no action. Each year, the ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom releases its most challenged books during National Library Week. For 2025, 11 titles made the list.

Other key findings from the 2025 report:

• 4,235 unique titles were challenged, the second-highest total on record
• 40% of challenged titles reflect LGBTQIA+ experiences or people of color
• 92% of challenges came from organized groups or officials, not individuals
• 5,668 books were banned, representing 66% of all challenges
• This marks the highest rate of censorship since tracking began

Learn more about the ALA’s methodology and data: ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data >

See the list on Bookshop.org