April 10, 2025 – The American Library Association released the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 list this week as part of the 2025 State of America’s Libraries Report.
- 1. “All Boys Aren't Blue,” by George M. Johnson
- 2. “Gender Queer,” by Maia Kobabe
- 3. (TIE) “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison
- 3. (TIE) “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
- 5. “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins
- 6. (TIE) “Looking for Alaska,” by John Green
- 6. (TIE) “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” by Jesse Andrews
- 8. (TIE) “Crank,” by Ellen Hopkins
- 8. (TIE) “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick
- 10. “Flamer,” by Mike Curato
The announcement says:
New data reported to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements. Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. Parents only accounted for 16% of demands to censor books, while 5% of challenges were brought by individual library users. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books.
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.
Reports sent to ALA documented 821 attempts to censor library books and other materials in 2024 across all library types, a decrease from 2023 when 1,247 attempts were reported. In 2024, ALA recorded the third highest number of book challenges since tracking began in 1990.
ALA cites the following factors contributing to the decrease in documented censorship from 2023:
Underreporting – Many book challenges are not publicly reported or covered by the press; therefore, ALA’s year-end data only represents a snapshot of censorship in America. In many cases, reporting censorship poses significant risk to a library worker’s professional livelihood and personal safety.
Censorship by Exclusion – This occurs when library workers are prohibited from purchasing books, or required to place books in restricted or less accessible areas of the library due to fear of controversy. Example:
The board of supervisors of King George County Schools (VA) has given outsized influence to a 76-year old preacher, who is the father of one board member and father-in-law of another. Following his requests, the board placed restrictions on access to more than 100 titles in school libraries. Restricted titles are under lock and key at the middle school and behind the librarian’s desk in the high school. Parental permission is required for a student to check out any restricted title. The board also assumed oversight of all books selected for purchase by school library workers.
Legislative restrictions – Several states have passed laws restricting the type of materials available in libraries and schools based on the ideas or topics addressed in the materials. This impairs young readers’ freedom to read and the ability of parents to guide their students’ reading free from political or religious interference. In Florida, Iowa, and Missouri, new state laws requiring school districts to restrict or remove library materials that are broadly deemed to include “sexual content” or controversial themes has resulted in the removal of books with literary or educational merit from school libraries that include LGBTQ+ characters or themes, or the removal of books about race or racism and featuring characters of color.
Total number of books challenged the last 10 years:
- 2024: 5,813
- 2023: 9,021
- 2022: 6,863
- 2021: 3,916
- 2020: 278
- 2019: 334
- 2018: 258
- 2017: 304
- 2016: 241
- 2015: 233