The Most-Challenged Books of 2025

Monday marked the start of National Library Week, which the American Library Association is marking by highlighting ongoing censorship. There were 4,235 unique books challenged across the country last year, "the second highest ever documented," the ALA said, noting an additional five books were challenged in 2023. About 40% of challenged and banned books focused on people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Only 3% of challenges came from parents, with 71% from government officials and other decision makers, and 21% from pressure groups, per NPR. The 11 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