Book bans are soaring in schools: Here’s why PEN America says it’s worse than ever
Book bans in US public schools have sharply increased, with PEN America reporting 6,870 instances in the 2024–2025 academic year. While lower than the previous year's figure, the number remains more than double pre-2023 levels. Titles such as A Clockwork Orange and books with LGBTQ+ themes were most frequently removed. Florida, Texas, and Tennessee led the bans. PEN also flagged federal-level removals under President Trump’s executive orders, raising concerns over systematic censorship.
Book bans in US public schools have sharply increased, with PEN America reporting 6,870 instances in the 2024–2025 academic year. While lower than the previous year's figure, the number remains more than double pre-2023 levels. Titles such as A Clockwork Orange and books with LGBTQ+ themes were most frequently removed. Florida, Texas, and Tennessee led the bans. PEN also flagged federal-level removals under President Trump’s executive orders, raising concerns over systematic censorship.
