Summary
A report finds that Stephen King is the most censored author in U.S. schools. The report documents over 6,800 book bans for the 2024-2025 school year, mainly in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. Some states have laws to limit book bans, showing a growing divide in how different areas handle censorship.
Key Facts
- Stephen King is the most banned author in U.S. schools, with 206 instances of censorship.
- The report records more than 6,800 cases of book bans for the 2024-2025 school year.
- Florida, Texas, and Tennessee are responsible for 80% of these book bans.
- Some states like Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey have laws to limit book bans in schools.
- Books often face bans for themes related to LGBTQ+, race, and sexual violence.
- Some districts remove books preemptively to avoid potential backlash.
- The Department of Education and Department of Defense have also removed books under various initiatives.
- PEN America's report tracks more temporary bans compared to the American Library Association's method.
