The troubling trend of book challenges and bans in libraries across the US continues. In 2025, 4,235 titles were banned or challenged at public, school, or university libraries, according to the American Library Association’s (ALA) State of America’s Libraries 2026 report. This figure was the second highest (following the record set in 2023) since ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) began documenting censorship attempts in 1990.

Behind each title is an author being professionally—and sometimes personally—targeted for the stories they have chosen to share. These works usually amplify marginalized voices such as abuse victims or those within the LGBTQ+ community.

American Libraries spoke with five authors on the Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2025 list included in the report to hear how their experiences affected them. Interviews have been edited for space and clarity.…