NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Cathy Leiber
Who is Behind Book Banning? Pressure Groups or Parents?92% of book censorship attempts originate from Pressure Groups; 3% from Parents
September 10, 2026 — The American Library Association(ALA) urges all of us to get ready to celebrate Banned Books Week, October 4-10, 2026. Its theme is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.”
Judith’s Reading Room, a global literacy nonprofit organization, was founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian and cousin to its founders. The organization’s mission is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy. Judith Krug served as the ALA’s Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom for 40 years and in that capacity, she founded Banned Books Week in 1982.
In 2025, 92% of book censorship attempts originated from organized movements like pressure groups, government officials and decision makers, up from 79% in 2024. Less than 3% of challenges originated from individual parents.
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.
Top 11 Banned/Challenged Books of 2025
1. SOLD by Patricia McCormick
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
3. Gender Queer by Maia Kebab
4. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
5. (Tie) Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
5. (Tie) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
7. A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J. Maas
8. (Tie) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
8. (Tie) Identical by Ellen Hopkins
8. (Tie) Looking for Alaska by John Green
8. (Tie) Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The public is reminded to stand up to bullies who want to tell you what to read. In 1982, Judith Krug staunchly defended everyone’s right to read and said, “no one has the right to tell us what we can or cannot read.” “Support everyone’s freedom to read under the protection of the First Amendment. Visit your local library and thank your librarian and library workers who confront people attempting to remove materials from libraries. Go to your nearest bookstore and buy these books, said Cathy L. Leiber, Co-Founder, Judith’s Reading Room.
Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3, established in the memory of Judith F Krug in 2010, has dedicated 117 libraries in 28 countries filled with 136,042 books donated worth $1,461,871. To learn more, visit www.judithsreadingroom.org.
First Amendment of the US Constitution
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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