"Looking for Alaska" has frequently been challenged. Based on data collected by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), the book was the fourth-most banned, challenged, and/or removed book in the United States between 2010 and 2019. The book landed on the ALA's list of Top 10 Banned Books in 2012 (7), 2013 (7), 2015 (1), and 2016 (6). The book has been deemed unsuited for the age group because of it sexually explicit content; offensive language; and inclusion of drugs, alcohol, and smoking.