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Banned Books Week 2025

Banned Books Week, October 5–11, 2025, with stars and text about censorship and reading rights.

The 2025 theme of Banned Books Week serves as a reminder that censorship efforts persist to this day. We must always come together to stand up for the right to read.

Cartoon illustration of a woman with wavy dark hair, blue eyes, and a wide smile.
Cindy Hohl
ALA President

The theme for Banned Books Week 2025 is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale “1984” serves a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship. This year’s theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.

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:

Book cover of "All Boys Aren't Blue" and text: Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024, #1, ALA, American Library Association.
Cover of 'Gender Queer' with text: Top ten most challenged books of 2024, ranked #2. ALA.org/bbooks.
Book cover of "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison beside bold text: "Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024, #3/4.
Book cover of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" with text: Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024, #3/4.
Cover of 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins, ranked #5 in the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024 by ALA.
Book cover for "Looking for Alaska" by John Green; text: Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024, #6/7.
Book cover of "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" listed as a top challenged book of 2024 by the ALA.
Book cover of "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins with text: Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024, #8/9, ALA logo.
Book cover of "Sold" with a girl's face, ranked #8/9 of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024 by ALA.
Cover of "Flamer" with text: Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024, #10, ALA, ala.org/bbooks.
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