PEN America reports 3,743 school book bans as nonfiction censorship doubles
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 7
PEN America reports 3,743 school book bans as nonfiction censorship doubles
4 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 7
The report counted 6,780 total bans across 23 states in 2024-2025, including 1,102 nonfiction titles, or 29% of all unique books removed from classrooms and libraries.
PEN America said books featuring people of color and LGBTQ+ characters were disproportionately targeted, while educational titles rose sharply and more than half of banned nonfiction books covered activism and social movements.
It linked the trend to anti-intellectualism and wider political campaigns, while warning two House bills and the Trump administration's retreat from federal book-ban complaints could deepen restrictions.
As school book bans double, what is the link to the historic decline in teen literacy and critical thinking skills?
Who decides what students can read when organized groups, not individual parents, now drive the majority of book challenges?
How does removing books about diverse identities measurably impact students' mental health and sense of belonging at school?
Book Banning Becomes Routine: 6,870 Instances Across 45 States in the 2024-2025 School Year
Overview
During the 2024-2025 school year, U.S. public schools saw a sharp surge in book bans, with nearly 7,000 instances affecting 4,000 titles and impacting thousands of authors and artists. This wave was driven by organized conservative campaigns and state policies targeting books on race, LGBTQ+ themes, and sexuality. Florida, Texas, and Tennessee led in bans, using tactics like full removal and restricted access. Legal battles intensified, with some courts supporting parental rights to limit content, while others struck down vague censorship laws. In response, students, educators, and advocacy groups mobilized protests and legal challenges, defending intellectual freedom amid concerns that bans harm student development, marginalize vulnerable groups, and threaten democratic values.