The American Library Association is observing Banned Books Week from October 4 through October 10 under the theme “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” Marking both the observance and the organization’s 150th anniversary on October 6, the association has released a compiled list of the 150 most challenged books documented between 1990 and 2025.
The list includes contemporary works such as Gender Queer: A Memoir alongside classic literary titles including To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men. Data tracked by the Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025, marking the second-highest total on record.
Bess Kalb and Tony Weaver, Jr. serve as honorary chairs for this year’s event, with Marshall Romero and Azeemah Sadiq acting as youth honorary chairs. Participating libraries, bookstores, and schools are hosting local programs and activities across the country throughout the week.
The weeklong event concludes on Saturday, October 10, with Let Freedom Read Day. The initiative encourages community members to take direct action against censorship and show support for library staff, authors, educators, and booksellers.
Banned Books Week is an annual national observance supported by a coalition of organizations dedicated to free expression and open access to information.
Click here to view the 150 banned book list.
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