The Oct. 4–10 Observance Concludes With Let Freedom Read Day

CHICAGO, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The American Library Association (ALA) is observing Banned Books Week, Oct. 4-10, under the theme “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” To mark the occasion and ALA’s official 150th anniversary on Oct. 6, ALA has released a list of the 150 most challenged books documented from 1990 through 2025.

ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025, the second-highest total on record. The full list of 150 most challenged books, available at ala150.org/150books spans contemporary titles such as Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and literary classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

“Every book on this list is a reminder that readers have the right to explore ideas and decide for themselves what to read,” said ALA President Maria McCauley. “For 150 years, ALA has worked alongside library workers to keep that choice open to everyone. We ask for support for our libraries so the next generation has that same freedom.”

Authors and free expression advocates Bess Kalb, known for the Buffalo Fluffalo series, and Tony Weaver, Jr., author of Weirdo, are this year’s honorary chairs. Texas student advocates Marshall Romero and Azeemah Sadiq are youth honorary chairs.

Libraries, bookstores, schools and allied organizations are holding local programs throughout the week. The observance concludes Saturday, Oct. 10, with Let Freedom Read Day, when everyone is encouraged to take at least one action against censorship or in support of library workers, authors, educators, and booksellers.

Banned Books Week is an annual observance supported by organizations dedicated to free expression and free, open access to information.

For more information on Banned Books Week, visit BannedBooksWeek.org.

For more information on ALA’s 150th, visit: ala150.org 

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

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SOURCE American Library Association