Banned Books Week 2026

The annual Banned Books Week will be Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme is Let Books Be — Protect the Freedom to Read.

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. 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.

By focusing on efforts to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The American Library Association compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country.

The Top Challenged Books of 2025

• Sold by Patricia McCormick – 36 challenges
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – 33 challenges
• Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe – 25 challenges
• Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas – 24 challenges
• Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo – 23 challenges
• Tricks by Ellen Hopkins – 23 challenges
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – 22 challenges
• A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess – 21 challenges
• Identical by Ellen Hopkins – 21 challenges
• Looking for Alaska by John Green – 21 challenges
• Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout – 21 challenges

Rising Challenges to Access

The 2025 data shows a continued and significant rise in book censorship:

• 4,325 unique titles challenged (second highest on record)
• 5,668 books banned, representing 66% of challenged titles
• 920 additional books restricted through relocation or permission requirements
• 92% of challenges initiated by pressure groups, officials, or decision makers (up from 72% in 2024)

The most common reasons cited include claims of obscenity, LGBTQIA+ content, and books addressing race, racism, equity, and social justice. Of all challenged titles, 40% represent LGBTQIA+ people and people of color.

NCW Libraries Freedom to Read Statement

At NCW Libraries, we believe the freedom to read is essential to a healthy, informed society, guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

We believe that the freedom to read is a cornerstone of our democratic society. We join the American Library Association and public libraries across the nation in championing and defending the freedom to read.

Our library spaces are big enough to contain the full range of stories, voices, beliefs, ideas, and experiences. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can find materials that reflect who they are and what they believe, as well as materials that spark curiosity and expand understanding.

We believe that everyone has the right to select for themselves what is appropriate to read, and that no one has the right to restrict or censor what others may choose to read.

We support all of our staff as champions of intellectual freedom.