Banned Books from Schools in 2025
Thousands of titles have been removed from public schools across the country this year. PEN America has documented nearly 23,000 banned books in public schools nationwide since 2021, a number never before seen in the life of any living American. This censorship is being mobilized by groups espousing conservative viewpoints and has spread to nearly every state. It predominantly targets books about race and racism or books featuring individuals of color and LGBTQ+ people and topics, as well those for older readers that have sexual references or discuss sexual violence.
In the 2024-2025 school year, PEN America recorded 6,870 instances of banned books affecting nearly 4,000 unique titles. For the third straight year, Florida was the No. 1 state for book bans, with 2,304 instances of bans, followed by Texas with 1,781 bans and Tennessee with 1,622. Here are some of the most frequently banned books in 2025.
1. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. This influential dystopian satire depicts a world where teen protagonist Alex creates mayhem before undergoing aversion therapy to curb his violent tendencies. Publisher W.W. Norton calls it “a frightening fable about good and evil and the meaning of human freedom.” This book frequently faces scrutiny for its “objectionable language” and depictions of violence.
2. Sold by Patricia McCormick. McCormick tells the story of Lakshmi, a 13-year-old girl in Nepal who is sold into prostitution. The powerful, poignant, bestselling National Book Award Finalist gives voice to a young girl robbed of her childhood yet determined to find the strength to triumph. This book has been challenged for sexual content.
3. Crank by Ellen Hopkins. Kristina Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. Then, Kristina meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul–her life. This book contains drug use, which is why it has been banned.
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. In this coming-of-age novel, “wallflower” Charlie deals with the complexities of high school, from young love to the pain of losing loved ones. This book contains teen drug use, sexual content, and child sexual abuse content.
5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. The first book in the Court of Thorns and Roses series introduces 19-year-old huntress Feyre as she is dragged to a magical land of faeries and finds herself developing feelings for her captor. This book has been challenged for mature themes.
6. Damsel by Elana K. Arnold. In this dark fairy tale, a damsel who is rescued from a fierce dragon by a handsome prince discovers that all is not what it seems. This book has reportedly been banned for descriptions of sexual conduct.
7. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. From the bestselling author of My Sister’s Keeper and Small Great Things, she writes about the moments leading up to and the devastating aftermath of a school shooting. This book has been challenged for its themes of bullying, domestic abuse, and teen pregnancy.
8. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. From the acclaimed Nobel Prize winner—a powerful examination of our obsession with beauty and conformity that asks questions about race, class, and gender with characteristic subtlety and grace. This book contains descriptions of violence and sexual abuse.
Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services