Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024
The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to defend each person's right to read under the First Amendment and to ensure free access to information. Every year, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The lists are based on information from confidential reports filed by library professionals and community members, as well as news stories published throughout the United States.
Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press, the data compiled by ALA represent only a snapshot of censorship attempts in libraries.
The 2024 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.
Since 2021, ALA has tracked a sharp spike in censorship attempts in libraries. In 2024, ALA recorded the third highest number of book challenges since tracking began in 1990: ALA documented 821 attempts to censor library books and other materials in 2024 across all library types, a decrease from 2023, when a record high 1,247 attempts were reported. ALA recorded attempts to remove 2,452 unique titles in 2024, which significantly exceeds the average of 273 unique titles that were challenged annually during 2001–2020.
The Top 10 Most Challenged Books lists are released annually during National Library Week and Right to Read Day.
Looking for the most challenged books from previous years? Check out the Top 10 Most Challenged Books Archive for lists and data going back to 2001, as well as the 100 most challenged books of past decades.
Your support matters now more than ever. Donations strengthen ALA's efforts to fight censorship, support libraries and library workers confronting attempts to remove materials and other resources, and increase awareness about the nationwide assault on the freedom to read. If you're able, please consider donating to the Office for Intellectual Freedom today.
1. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
Number of challenges: 39
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
2. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
Number of challenges: 38
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
3. (TIE) The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Number of challenges: 35
Challenged for: depiction of sexual assautl, depiction of incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
3. (TIE) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Number of challenges: 35
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, depiction of sexual assault, depiction of drug use, profanity
5. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
Number of challenges: 33
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit
6. (TIE) Looking for Alaska by John Green
Number of challenges: 30
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit
6. (TIE) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Number of challenges: 30
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
8. (TIE) Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Number of challenges: 28
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, depiction of drug use
8. (TIE) Sold by Patricia McCormick
Number of challenges: 28
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, depiction of sexual assault
10. Flamer by Mike Curato
Number of challenges: 27
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
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The Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024 infographic was released as part of the 2025 State of America's Libraries Report.
Mapping Challenges to the Freedom to Read
ALA analyzes censorship data and compiles lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. Explore challenges of past years with our collection of Field Reports, as well as lists of the most challenged books of the last three decades.
Censorship data from 2024 and previous years paints a vivid picture of attempts to ban or restrict library books and resources across the United States. We break down censorship by the numbers.
The Book Report
The Book Report, formerly known as the Field Report, examines attempts to curtail the freedom to read in 2025, offering more information about censorship attacks on the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024, as well as details on an additional 10 titles. This annual report is the perfect handout for those who don’t know about the scope of censorship in libraries and for readers who want to stay informed about recent attempts to restrict access to information. Available June 2025.
You can also browse past Field Reports for free on the OIF blog.
