Inside the ALA’s list of the 150 most banned books of the last 35 years.

The American Library Association (ALA) recently unveiled its annual list of the 150 most challenged books from 1990 to 2025, as documented by the Office for Intellectual Freedom. This year's tally of 4,235 challenged titles marks the second-highest total ever recorded, reflecting the ongoing surge in censorship efforts.

Among the most striking aspects of the list are the breadth and diversity of the challenged titles. Notably, the list includes 20 adult classics, such as Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. These time-honored works have faced opposition from censors, who continue to target them despite their enduring relevance and literary significance.

In terms of contemporary literature, the list reveals some surprising entries, such as Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants. These books, dealing with themes of emotional migration and the trials of circus animals, have garnered attention from censors who seem to be particularly sensitive to emotional narratives and fantastical elements.

The ALA's list also highlights the rise of graphic novels as a target of censorship. Titles featuring graphic depictions, such as those by Alison Bechdel, Gabby Rivera, and Craig Thompson, have drawn significant opposition. Notably, a graphic novel adaptation of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale has faced double the scrutiny, underscoring the intense scrutiny faced by works that explore sensitive themes through visual storytelling.

Children's and middle-grade literature accounted for 11 titles on the list. Many of these books address important topics such as gender identity and the affirmation of queer families. Examples include Jessica Love's Julián Is a Mermaid and Justin Richardson's And Tango Makes Three. The persistence of controversy surrounding Maurice Sendak's In the Night Kitchen, with its depiction of cartoon baby nudity, underscores the enduring sensitivity of certain artistic representations.

Perhaps most strikingly, the ALA found that the overwhelming majority of books challenged since 1990 were written for young audiences. Within this category, gender and sexual themes emerged as dominant concerns for censors. This trend suggests a growing backlash against literary works that promote inclusivity and diversity, particularly among younger readers.