The Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), monitors reports of book challenges and censorship attempts submitted by libraries, schools, and news outlets nationwide. These efforts are tracked and compiled to raise awareness about censorship that threatens free access to information in public institutions.
Overview of Challenged Literature
To better understand the scope and patterns of censorship, the OIF offers categorized resources that showcase books challenged or banned due to content concerns. These lists are designed to inform educators, librarians, students, and the general public about the titles most often targeted for restriction or removal.
Top 10 Most Challenged Books
Since 2001, the OIF has annually released a list of the ten most frequently challenged books. These rankings are based on media coverage and formal reports of censorship incidents from across the country.
Challenges by Decade
Explore censorship trends over time through the following decade-specific lists:
- 1990–1999: The most frequently challenged books of the decade.
- 2000–2009: Titles that faced the most scrutiny during the early 21st century.
- 2010–2019: Books reflecting more recent cultural and political sensitivities.
Annual Reports
Each year, the OIF produces a bibliography of books that have been challenged, restricted, removed, or banned. These reports are available for purchase in print or digital format via the ALA Store.
Children’s Books
Books for younger audiences are frequently contested for being “unsuited or inappropriate for the age group.” This list of 130 titles includes works by authors such as Alvin Schwartz, Mildred D. Taylor, and Roald Dahl, who have been cited repeatedly in censorship challenges.
This category features books written specifically for teen readers, or those that feature adolescent protagonists. These works often address complex themes that prompt concerns from parents and community groups.
Even highly regarded literary works are not immune to censorship. At least 46 of the Radcliffe Publishing Course’s Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century have faced challenges or bans at some point.
Books representing diverse voices are disproportionately targeted. In 2015, nine out of the top ten most frequently challenged books included themes or characters involving people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, or people with disabilities. The current list of 86 titles highlights this trend.
To provide insight into censorship patterns, OIF publishes yearly infographics as part of the State of America's Library Report. These visual resources illustrate:
- Who initiates book challenges
- The most common reasons for objections
- The settings in which challenges take place