American Library Association most challenged books of 2025 : NPR
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- The American Library Association (ALA) released its annual list of the 11 most commonly challenged books in U.S. libraries for 2025, featuring titles such as "Sold" by Patricia McCormick and "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe.
- In 2025, the ALA documented 4,235 unique book challenges, the second-highest on record, with 40% involving LGBTQ+ and people of color representations.
- A total of 713 censorship attempts were made nationwide in 2025, with 487 targeting books specifically, and 92% of challenges coming from pressure groups, government officials, and local decision makers.
- Government officials and local board members or administrators accounted for the majority of challenges (31% and 40%, respectively), while parents and individual library users represented a small fraction of challenges.
- Challenges were most frequently attempted in public libraries (51%) and school libraries (37%), with the ALA distinguishing between "challenges" (attempts to restrict access) and "bans" (removal of materials).
