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NEW YORK (AP) — The American Library Association (ALA) reports that attempts to ban books in libraries remain exceedingly high, with a noticeable increase in organized and politically-driven efforts.
On Monday, the ALA unveiled its annual list spotlighting the most challenged books in U.S. libraries, as part of its State of America’s Libraries Report. Leading the 2025 list is Patricia McCormick’s “Sold,” a 2006 narrative centered around sex trafficking in India. Other frequently challenged titles include Stephen Chbosky’s teen-centric novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer,” and Sarah J. Maas’ popular romantasy “Empire of Storms.”
This year, the ALA’s list extends to 11 books instead of the usual 10, with a four-way tie for eighth place among Anthony Burgess’ dystopian work “A Clockwork Orange,” Ellen Hopkins’ family drama “Identical,” John Green’s coming-of-age story “Looking for Alaska,” and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s supernatural romance “Storm and Fury.”
Reasons for these challenges vary, including themes relating to LGBTQ+ issues (“Gender Queer,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”), depictions of sexual violence (“Sold” and “A Clockwork Orange”), and portrayals of substance use (“Looking for Alaska”). The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom documented challenges to 4,235 different books, a number only surpassed by the 4,240 challenges recorded in 2023, marking a notable milestone in their over 30-year history of tracking such incidents.
The ALA defines a challenge as an attempt to remove or restrict access to library resources based on objections from individuals or groups. The latest list coincides with National Library Week, which continues 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 survey through media accounts and submissions from libraries. The actual numbers are likely much higher because many incidents are never reported, the association acknowledges.
For decades, challenges to a given book came from a parent or another member of a local community. But in recent years, the ALA has found, the trend has shifted sharply to government officials and such conservative activists as Moms for Liberty, who advocate “parental choice” in deciding what schools and libraries should make available.
Florida, Texas and Utah are among the many states that have called for books to be banned or passed restrictive legislation. In Iowa, an appellate court ruled earlier this month that the state can enforce a law that limits teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ topics with students in kindergarten through the sixth grade and bans some books.
Last year, more than 90% of challenges arose from activists and government officials, according to the ALA, compared to 72% in 2024.
“In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents, and they were not the result of local grassroots efforts,” Sarah Lamdan, executive director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, said in a statement. “They were part of a well-funded, politically-driven campaign.”
“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.”
The ALA’s list of the 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