Books featured in “Banned Together,” the new documentary about book censorship in America

“Censorship is so 1984.”

That’s the bold theme for Banned Books Week 2025, taking place Oct. 5-11. If you’ve ever read George Orwell’s classic 1984, a cautionary tale of a man trapped under the gaze of an authoritarian state, you’ll know this year’s tagline serves as a timely warning against the dangers of censorship. And unfortunately, this isn’t a work of fiction. In 2024, the American Library Association recorded attempts to remove 2,452 unique titles, significantly exceeding the average of 273 unique titles that were challenged annually during 2001–2020.  

And this year, another George is lending his voice to the cause: the legendary Star Trek actor, author, and activist George Takei will serve as honorary chair, bringing us together to stand up for the right to read.

As you dive into your reading list for Banned Books Week, consider adding a new documentary to your watchlist too. Banned Together (2025) pulls back the curtain on two of the most controversial issues in America today: book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools. It’s a great way to deepen your understanding of why the freedom to read matters, and how it affects communities today.

📺 Where to watch: Stream for free on Kanopy from your public library.

About the documentary

BANNED TOGETHER: THE FIGHT AGAINST CENSORSHIP
2025 | 1hr 32min
Featuring Jamie Raskin, Jodi Picoult, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Juno Dawson

Banned Together follows three students and their adult allies as they fight to reinstate 97 books suddenly pulled from their school libraries. As they evolve from local to national activists—meeting with bestselling/banned authors, politicians, Constitutional experts, and more—the film reveals the dark forces behind the accelerating wave of book bans in the U.S.

Watch the trailer

A Banned Together reading list

Throughout the film, books and authors are featured that have sparked debate in schools and libraries across the country. These titles inspired activism and challenged the boundaries of what students are allowed to read. From fantasy series and poetry to nonfiction guides and board books for babies—here’s a list of all of the challenged books featured in the documentary.

📚 Challenged books mentioned in the film:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J .K. Rowling

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez

Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Glass by Ellen Hopkins

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers

This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Push by Sapphire

Roberto Clemente by Jonah Winter

Feminist Baby by Loryn Brantz

You Need to Chill by Juno Dawson

What’s the T? by Juno Dawson

✍️ Authors featured in the film:

Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes

Erika L. Sánchez, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Juno Dawson, This Book Is Gay

Ellen Hopkins, Identical

Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist

*Title availability may vary.

These books represent voices that have been challenged, silenced, and defended. Check out one of the books on Libby as a starting point for deeper conversations and continued advocacy. As Banned Books Week reminds us, the right to read is worth protecting.  

RELATED READ: The 100 most frequently challenged books of the last decade