Country

  • 🌍 All countries 18
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  • USA 14

Category

18 bans

Books ✕

Banned books around the world, country by country. Pick a country to see only its bans.

IranBannedThe Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)Banned as blasphemous; in 1989 Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the author's death.BooksSince 1988Details →USARestrictedA Clockwork Orange (Anthony Burgess)A 1962 dystopian novel by Anthony Burgess that topped PEN America's most banned list for 2024-25, with bans in 23 school districts. Challenged over violence and language; not banned nationwide.BooksSince 1973Details →USARestrictedGender Queer by Maia KobabePulled from some US school systems, including in Florida and Texas, over its LGBTQ+ themes and illustrated sexual content. It topped the ALA's most-challenged list from 2021 to 2023.BooksSince 2021Details →USARestrictedA Court of Thorns and Roses (Sarah J. Maas)A 2015 romantasy novel by Sarah J. Maas, among the first 13 books removed from all Utah public schools in 2024 and banned in 16 school districts in 2024-25. Not banned nationwide.BooksSince 2023Details →USARestrictedAll Boys Aren’t Blue (George M. Johnson)A memoir by George M. Johnson, named the most challenged book in the US in 2024 by the ALA. Removed from school libraries in many districts over its LGBTQ+ content; not banned nationwide.BooksSince 2021Details →USARestrictedFallout by Ellen HopkinsRemoved from school libraries in a growing number of US districts, starting with Utah's Alpine district in 2022, over its frank treatment of drug addiction and sex. PEN America counted 19 bans in 2025–26.BooksSince 2022Details →USARestrictedLast Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda LoRemoved or restricted in several US school districts over its LGBTQ+ romance and sexual content, despite winning the 2021 National Book Award.BooksSince 2022Details →USARestrictedMaus (Art Spiegelman)Removed from the curriculum by a Tennessee school board in January 2022, which led to a sales surge.BooksSince 2022Details →USARestrictedNineteen Minutes (Jodi Picoult)A 2007 novel about a school shooting, named the most commonly banned book in US schools in 2023-24 by PEN America. Removed in 50+ districts; not banned nationwide.BooksSince 2008Details →USARestrictedStorm and Fury (Jennifer L. Armentrout)A YA fantasy novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout, listed among PEN America's most banned books of 2024-25 with 16 recorded bans. Removed from some school libraries over sexual content; not banned nationwide.BooksSince 2023Details →USARestrictedThe Bluest Eye (Toni Morrison)One of the most often challenged books in US schools; removed in a number of districts.BooksDetails →USARestrictedThe Fault in Our Stars by John GreenPulled from Riverside, California middle schools in 2014 over sexual content, crude language and its focus on death, then moved to the adult section of an Indiana public library in 2023 before that policy was paused.BooksSince 2014Details →USARestrictedThe Giver (Lois Lowry)Challenged in U.S. schools since 1994 over infanticide, euthanasia, suicide and puberty themes. Some districts pulled or limited it, but there is no national ban and it is still widely taught.BooksSince 1994Details →USARestrictedThe Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)The Hunger Games is not illegal in the USA, but some public school districts have removed or age-restricted it after parent complaints about violence and age suitability.BooksSince 2010Details →ThailandRestrictedThree-Finger Salute (The Hunger Games)Thailand's military government banned the Hunger Games three-finger salute in 2014 after protesters used it against the coup. It can still draw police action at political gatherings.BooksSince 2014Details →USARestrictedTricks (Ellen Hopkins)A 2009 novel in verse by Ellen Hopkins about five teens who fall into prostitution. Banned from all Utah public schools since March 2025 and still on the statewide list; not banned nationwide.BooksSince 2025Details →UKBan liftedSpycatcher (Peter Wright)The government tried to block the MI5 memoir; the courts lifted the restrictions in 1988.BooksBanned 1987Details →IndiaBan liftedThe Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)Import was banned in 1988; in 2024 the Delhi High Court said the ban notification could not be found and closed the case.BooksBanned 1988Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country bans the most books?

In our list, USA (14), followed by UK (1) and Iran (1).

Have any of these bans been lifted?

Yes, including Spycatcher (Peter Wright) (1987) and The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie) (1988). Lifted bans stay on the list, marked "Ban lifted", so you can see how the rules changed.

Is this list up to date?

We review entries regularly and add new bans as they happen. Laws change, so check an official government source before you travel or act on this information.

Laws change often and many bans have exceptions. This list is for general information, not legal or travel advice. Check official government sources before you travel. Last updated: 01/11/2026.