Post by : Badri Ariffin

The American Library Association (ALA) has unveiled alarming statistics in its 2025 State of America’s Libraries Report, highlighting a significant uptick in book challenges across US libraries. The organization indicates that these movements to ban or limit access to books have become increasingly organized and politically charged in recent times.

Top Challenged Title of 2025

Patricia McCormick’s “Sold”, a poignant exploration of sex trafficking in India published in 2006, has emerged as the most contested book of the year.

Additional frequently challenged titles include:

• “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky

• “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe

• “Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas

• “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas

• “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo

• “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins

• “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess

• “Identical” by Ellen Hopkins

• “Looking for Alaska” by John Green

• “Storm and Fury” by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Motivations Behind Challenges

According to the ALA, common reasons cited for these challenges include:

• LGBTQ+ topics

• Content featuring sexual violence

• References to alcohol and smoking

• Mature themes

For example, both “Gender Queer” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” were challenged due to their LGBTQ+ perspectives, while “Sold” and “A Clockwork Orange” were scrutinized for their portrayal of sexual violence.

Record-Breaking Numbers

Data from the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom indicates that there were challenges reported for 4,235 unique books in 2025, a number that remains close to the 4,240 challenges documented in 2023, which holds the record since tracking started more than three decades ago.

The ALA also noted over 5,600 book removals, suggesting that actual bans often surpass the number of reported challenges.

Changing Trends in Book Bans

The ALA reported that political activism and governmental intervention are increasingly at the forefront of these challenges, eclipsing the concerns of individual parents or local communities.

In fact, more than 90% of challenges last year were initiated by activists and officials, a significant rise from 72% in 2024. Groups like Moms for Liberty have emerged as key players in nationwide campaigns aimed at book removals.

State Actions

Various states, including Florida, Texas, and Utah, have enacted laws or shown support for limits on specific books and educational content. In Iowa, a recent court ruling upheld laws restricting discussions on LGBTQ+ subjects in early education and restricting access to certain literature.

ALA’s Perspective

ALA President Sam Helmick emphasized that libraries should embody a multitude of voices and experiences. The association encourages that libraries remain bastions of open information access, especially noted during National Library Week.

Sarah Lamdan of the ALA mentioned that a majority of book challenges now appear to be part of organized, national efforts, with similar titles being targeted consistently across various states.

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