Efforts to remove books from libraries and schools reached record levels in 2025, driven by increasingly coordinated and politically motivated campaigns, according to data released by the American Library Association (ALA). The organization’s annual report on the most challenged books highlights Patricia McCormick’s 2006 novel “Sold,” which addresses sex trafficking in India, as the most frequently targeted title last year.

The ALA’s list, published during National Library Week, identifies 11 books that faced frequent challenges, including Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer,” and Sarah J. Maas’ fantasy novel “Empire of Storms.” Four titles—including Anthony Burgess’ “A Clockwork Orange,” Ellen Hopkins’ “Identical,” John Green’s “Looking for Alaska,” and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s “Storm and Fury”—tied for eighth place.

The reasons cited for objections varied, with many challenges focusing on LGBTQ+ themes, as seen in “Gender Queer” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” depictions of sexual violence in “Sold” and “A Clockwork Orange,” and portrayals of alcohol and cigarette use in “Looking for Alaska.” Overall, the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded challenges to 4,235 different books in 2025, slightly fewer than the 4,240 challenges documented in 2023, the highest number since the association began tracking such data more than three decades ago.

The ALA defines a challenge as any attempt to remove or restrict access to library materials based on objections from individuals or groups. The report notes that actual figures are likely higher, as many incidents go unreported.

Traditionally, challenges originated from parents or local community members, but the ALA finds that the trend has shifted significantly toward involvement by government officials and conservative activist groups, such as Moms for Liberty. These organizations promote parental control over educational content in schools and libraries. Several states, including Florida, Texas, and Utah, have introduced or enforced legislation aiming to restrict access to certain books. In Iowa, a recent appellate court ruling upheld a law prohibiting teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ topics with students from kindergarten through sixth grade and banning related books.

According to the ALA, more than 90% of challenges in 2025 were initiated by activists and government officials, up from 72% in 2024. “In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents, and they were not the result of local grassroots efforts,” said Sarah Lamdan, executive director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. She characterized the removals as part of “a well-funded, politically-driven campaign.”

Lamdan explained that activists distribute lists of targeted books nationwide, contributing to widespread bans. The number of actual book removals in 2025 surpassed 5,600, exceeding the total number of challenges, indicating successful efforts to restrict access. Public meetings frequently feature repeated calls to remove the same titles, underscoring the coordinated nature of the campaigns against these works.

ALA President Sam Helmick emphasized the role of libraries as inclusive spaces. “Libraries exist to make space for every story and every lived experience,” Helmick said. “As we celebrate National Library Week, we reaffirm that libraries are places for knowledge, for access, and for all.”