Most Banned Book in US Libraries: Sold by Patricia McCormick Sparks Record Censorship Surge in 2025

American Library Association data reveals that Patricia McCormick’s 2006 novel “Sold” was the most challenged book in U.S. Libraries during 2025, reflecting ongoing debates about censorship and access to literature addressing difficult social issues.

The novel, which follows the story of a Nepali girl trafficked into sexual exploitation in India, topped the ALA’s list of the 11 most challenged books of 2025. This marks the second consecutive year that “Sold” has appeared at the top of the annual list, according to the State of America’s Libraries report released in April 2026.

In 2025, the ALA documented 4,235 unique book titles challenged across the United States, the second-highest total ever recorded. Of these challenges, 5,668 books were ultimately banned, with an additional 920 titles subjected to access restrictions such as relocation to restricted sections of library shelves.

Of the challenged titles, 40% were identified as representing the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of color, highlighting concerns about disproportionate targeting of diverse voices in library collections.

Other frequently challenged books in 2025 included Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer,” and Sarah J. Maas’s fantasy novel “Empire of Storms.” Several titles appeared in tied positions on the list, including multiple works by Ellen Hopkins and John Green’s “Looking for Alaska.”

ALA President Sam Helmick emphasized the role of libraries in providing access to a wide range of perspectives, stating that libraries exist to make space for every story and lived experience. The report was released as part of National Library Week observances, underscoring the ongoing tension between intellectual freedom efforts and attempts to restrict access to certain materials.

Book challenges and bans remain at near-record levels nationwide, with library advocates describing the trend as a sustained, politically coordinated effort to remove specific categories of books from public and school libraries. Despite a slight decline in the total number of reported challenges compared to previous years, the breadth of targeted titles continues to exceed pre-2021 levels.

The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 713 attempts to censor library materials and services in 2025, 487 of which specifically targeted books. These efforts have drawn criticism from free expression advocates who argue that restricting access to books like “Sold” limits opportunities for education and dialogue about critical global issues such as human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Supporters of the novel maintain that it serves as an important educational tool in classrooms and libraries, helping students understand the realities of human rights abuses and global inequality. Critics, however, have cited its depiction of sexual violence as grounds for challenge, illustrating the ongoing divide over how such content should be handled in educational settings.

The pattern of challenges reflects broader societal debates about what constitutes appropriate reading material for young people, particularly when it comes to topics involving sexuality, violence, and marginalized experiences. As book bans continue to affect library collections across the country, the ALA’s annual report provides a key metric for monitoring shifts in censorship efforts and their impact on access to diverse narratives.