Banned books might sound like something from the past, but they’re still a big issue today. Every year, books across the country are challenged or removed from schools and libraries, usually because of their content.
According to the American Library Association (ALA), efforts to restrict access to certain titles remain widespread, often focusing on books that address race, gender and identity.
ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracked 4,235 unique titles — the number of distinct, individual books — challenged in 2025.
The ALA makes a clear distinction between challenged and banned books — terms that are often used interchangeably but mean different things.
A “challenged book” is one that someone has attempted to remove or restrict based on objections to its content. A “banned book,” on the other hand, is a title that has actually been removed from a library, school or curriculum. This difference is important, as many books face challenges but are ultimately kept on shelves.
Georgia Southern Dean of University Libraries Lisandra Carmichael, Ph.D., shared her definition of banned books. “To me, ‘banned books’ is a reminder of why intellectual freedom matters so deeply. A banned book is one that someone decided others should not have the right to read, and that alone should give us pause.”
This year’s list of the most challenged books reflects ongoing tensions over what content should be available to readers, especially young people.
Topping the list is “Sold,” followed by “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Gender Queer: A Memoir.” Other frequently challenged titles include “Empire of Storms,” “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” and “Looking for Alaska.”
Carmichael said, “Historically, the books that have been banned or challenged are often the ones that ask the most important questions about power, identity, and society.”
ALA said, “Of the unique titles challenged in 2025, 1,671 (40%) represent the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and people of color.”
“Censorship in academic settings was once driven largely by religious or governmental pressure. Over time, universities became strong defenders of open inquiry and intellectual freedom. We trust our communities to engage critically with difficult or controversial materials, and we defend that trust,” said Carmichael.
According to ALA, “In 2025, 92% of all book challenges were initiated by pressure groups, government officials and decision makers, up from 72% in 2024.”
OIF documented “5,668 books banned from libraries (66% of the total challenged) in 2025. An additional 920 books were censored through access restrictions such as relocation or requiring parental permission.”
Carmichael shared her view on preserving books that have been banned elsewhere.
“We have not just a responsibility, but an obligation. When a book is removed from a school or public library, it doesn’t cease to matter. Preserving and providing access to the full record of human thought is central to everything our mission stands for. Empowering groundbreaking discovery means ensuring that students can engage freely with even the most challenging ideas, without stigma or barrier,” she said.
