Red book with

 

What is Banned Books Week?

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Held in the last week of September or first week of October, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. 

Banned Books Week 2025 poster

2025 Banned Books Week Theme: “Censorship Is So 1984 — Read for Your Rights.” 

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country. 

Top 10 challenged books of 2024

Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024:

(the 2025 list will come out in April of 2026)

  1. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/allboysBR
  2. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/genderBR
  3. (TIE) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/bluestBR
  4. (TIE) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/wallflowerBR
  5. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/tricksBR
  6. (TIE) Looking for Alaska by John Green
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/alaskaBR
  7. (TIE) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/earlBR
  8. (TIE) Crank by Ellen Hopkins
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/crankBR
  9. (TIE) Sold by Patricia McCormick
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/soldBR
  10. Flamer by Mike Curato
    Why this book matters: bit.ly/flamerBR

The most common justifications for censorship provided by complainants were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and covering topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice.