Summary
A new report shows that from July 2024 to June 2025, schools across 23 U.S. states banned many books, with Florida, Texas, and Tennessee leading in the number of bans. The report by PEN America highlights concerns that book censorship is increasing and may be affecting public education negatively. The report includes information on the most frequently banned authors and titles.
Key Facts
- PEN America's report recorded 6,870 cases of book bans in school libraries across 23 states and 87 school districts during the 2024-2025 school year.
- Florida, Texas, and Tennessee had the highest numbers of book bans.
- Florida banned 2,304 books, Texas banned 1,781, and Tennessee banned 1,622 books.
- Stephen King was identified as the most banned author, with 206 bans affecting 87 of his titles.
- "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess was the most banned book, removed 23 times.
- The report notes that many banned books cover themes like race, gender identity, and sexuality.
- PEN America warns that these censorship efforts are reminiscent of past book banning periods in U.S. history.
- A Congressional resolution was introduced to address the rise in book bans, urging adherence to guidelines for handling challenged books.
