Skip to Main Content

Banned Books

Explore the Banned Books guide for insights on banned literature, Banned Books Week, and details about our Banned Books Read-In events.

2025 Banned Books Week

Promotional image for Banned Books Week, October 5-11, 2025, by the American Library Association. BANNED BOOKS WEEK OCT. 5-11, 2025 CENSORSHIP is so 1984 READ FOR YOUR RIGHTS ALA.ORG/BBOOKS American Library Association

(Click images for more information about Banned Books Week)

2024 Top 10 Most Challenged Books

"Top 10 most challenged books of 2024 graphic by the American Library Association with book covers and rankings." TOP 10 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2024 The American Library Association documented 821 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2024. The most common reasons for challenges were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and dealing with topics of race, racism, inclusivity, equity, and social justice. Of the 2,452 unique titles that were challenged or banned in 2024, here are the top 10 most frequently targeted. 1 ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE: A MEMOIR-MANIFESTO by George M. Johnson Why this book matters: bit.ly/allboysBR 2 GENDER QUEER: A MEMOIR by Maia Kobabe Why this book matters: bit.ly/genderBR 3/4 THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison Why this book matters: bit.ly/bluestBR 3/4 THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky Why this book matters: bit.ly/wallfl BR 5 TRICKS by Ellen Hopkins Why this book matters: bit.ly/tricksBR 6/7 LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green Why this book matters: bit.ly/alaskaBR 6/7 ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL by Jesse Andrews Why this book matters: bit.ly/earlBR 8/9 CRANK by Ellen Hopkins Why this book matters: bit.ly/crankBR 8/9 SOLD by Patricia McCormick Why this book matters: bit.ly/soldBR 10 FLAMER by Mike Curato Why this book matters: bit.ly/flamerBR OFFICE FOR Intellectual Freedom American Library Association ALA.ORG/BBOOKS