Title: Book Bans in U.S. Schools Reach Record Levels

Book bans in public schools across the United States have surged, becoming a widespread issue since 2021. A recent report from PEN America reveals that there were 6,870 instances of book bans during the 2024-2025 school year, affecting 23 states and 87 public school districts. This trend has been fueled by various advocacy groups and, more recently, by federal government actions.

Florida leads the nation with the highest number of book bans, totaling 2,304, followed by Texas with 1,781 and Tennessee with 1,622. Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, described the situation as a “disturbing ‘everyday banning’ and normalization of censorship” that has worsened over the past four years. The report was released ahead of Banned Books Week, which runs from October 5 to 11.

The bans have impacted 2,308 authors, with notable titles such as "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess and "Breathless" by Jennifer Niven among the most frequently prohibited. Other commonly banned books include Judy Blume's "Forever..." and George M. Johnson's "All Boys Aren't Blue." The report indicates that the majority of these bans target books addressing race, racism, and LGBTQ+ themes, as well as young adult literature that includes sexual references or discusses sexual violence.

PEN America has documented nearly 23,000 cases of book bans across 45 states and 451 public school districts since 2021. The organization began tracking these incidents as special interest groups lobbied school boards to remove books based on their content. The report highlights that the practice of banning books has become normalized, with some state legislatures passing laws to facilitate these actions.

The report also notes that the federal government has become a new force in promoting book bans, particularly under the Trump administration. Executive orders issued by Trump threaten to withhold federal funding from K-12 schools that promote what the administration deems "anti-American" ideologies. One such order, signed on January 29, 2025, cites themes of race and transgender issues as examples of "radical indoctrination."

The report emphasizes that the push for book bans is often driven by advocacy groups with conservative viewpoints, reminiscent of the Red Scare of the 1950s. It states, "Never before have so many states passed laws or regulations to facilitate the banning of books, including bans on specific titles statewide."

In response to the growing trend, some school districts have implemented "do not buy" lists, restricting educators from selecting certain books for libraries and curricula. The report warns that if local and state book bans continue, the freedom to read in public schools will be severely compromised.

Sabrina Baêta, senior manager of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, stated, "No bookshelf will be left untouched if local and state book bans continue wreaking havoc on the freedom to read in public schools."

The report concludes that the ongoing pressure from federal and state officials to restrict content in schools has led to preemptive bans, where school administrators choose to remove books to avoid potential backlash. This trend raises concerns about the future of free speech and access to diverse literature in educational settings.