Book Bans Surge in US Schools, Targeting Diversity and Inclusion
Book bans have surged across the US since 2021, with nearly 23,000 cases in 45 states and 451 public school districts. PEN America warns that this trend could lead to a complete overhaul of book shelves in public schools. Florida had the highest number of bans, followed by Texas and Tennessee.
The bans targeted 2,308 authors, with 'A Clockwork Orange', 'Breathless', 'Sold', 'Last Night at the Telegraph Club', and 'A Court of Mist and Fury' being the most banned. Preemptive bans and censorship have increased due to public pressure from federal and state officials. The Department of Education dismissed 11 book ban complaints and ended its book ban coordinator position under the Trump administration.
The Trump administration has emerged as a new force driving book ban campaigns, with executive orders threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that teach 'anti-American' ideologies. In the 2024-2025 school year, there were 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts. The bans primarily focused on books about race, racism, LGBTQ+ topics, and young adult books with sexual references or discussions of sexual violence.
Book bans in public schools have become increasingly common in the US since 2021, with a significant increase in the 2024-2025 school year. The Trump administration's involvement and the focus on specific topics raise concerns about the impact on students' access to diverse and inclusive literature.
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