A concerning trend of increasing book bans is gripping schools nationwide, with a new report revealing a notable number of titles removed from classrooms and libraries during the 2024-2025 school year. The escalating censorship efforts are impacting access to diverse perspectives and sparking debate about intellectual freedom.
Nationwide Increase in Book removals
Table of Contents
- 1. Nationwide Increase in Book removals
- 2. States at the Forefront of Book Challenges
- 3. The Authors Most Affected
- 4. Stephen King
- 5. Ellen Hopkins
- 6. Sarah J.Maas
- 7. Jodi Picoult
- 8. Yũsei Matsui
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions about Book Bans
- 10. How do book challenges targeting authors like Maureen Johnson and Rainbow Rowell impact the representation of LGBTQ+ identities in young adult literature?
- 11. Challenging Authors most Often Censored in U.S.Schools
- 12. The Landscape of Book Challenges & Censorship
- 13. top Authors Facing Book bans: A Current Overview (2025)
- 14. Why These Authors? Common Themes in Challenges
- 15. Understanding the Challenge Process: A Step-by-Step Look
- 16. The Impact of Censorship on Students
- 17. Resources for Fighting Censorship & Supporting Intellectual Freedom
PEN America, a leading organization dedicated to defending free expression, documented 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 school districts. Though a slight decrease from the over 10,000 instances recorded in the prior year, the current figures remain dramatically higher than pre-2021 levels. Since July 2021, nearly 23,000 books have faced removal in 45 states and 451 school districts.
According to PEN America,a disturbing pattern of “everyday banning” and increased censorship is unfolding. This includes the implementation of restrictive laws, ambiguous directives, and the mislabeling of books as “explicit,” ultimately limiting student access to a wide range of literature.
States at the Forefront of Book Challenges
The majority of these bans are concentrated in just three states. Florida led with 2,304 instances, followed by Texas with 1,781, and Tennessee with 1,622. These states have recently enacted laws permitting the removal of materials deemed “inappropriate,” frequently enough based on the presence of “sexual conduct.” Conversely, states like Maine, New York, and California reported no instances of book bans.
| State | Number of Bans (2024-2025) |
|---|---|
| Florida | 2,304 |
| Texas | 1,781 |
| Tennessee | 1,622 |
| Maine | 0 |
| New York | 0 |
| California | 0 |
Several prominent authors have found their works disproportionately targeted by these book bans. Here are the five most frequently challenged authors, based on the latest data:
Stephen King
The celebrated author of horror classics such as Carrie, It, and The Shining, was the most banned author, with 87 of his books removed 206 times. King recently voiced his frustration on social media, urging readers to explore his work and question the motives behind the bans.
Ellen Hopkins
Young adult fiction author Ellen Hopkins faced the second highest number of bans, with 18 of her titles challenged a total of 167 times. Hopkins,known for her novels addressing challenging themes,has actively criticized the book bans,emphasizing the importance of honest and relatable narratives for young readers.
Sarah J.Maas
Fantasy novelist Sarah J. Maas, acclaimed for the Throne of Glass and A Court of thorns and Roses series, saw 21 of her titles banned 162 times. Six of her works were included on a list of books removed from schools in Utah last year.
Jodi Picoult
Bestselling author Jodi Picoult, known for emotionally resonant novels like My Sister’s Keeper, experienced 62 instances of her 23 titles being banned. She has been a vocal advocate against censorship, warning against the dangers of limiting free speech.
Yũsei Matsui
Japanese manga artist Yũsei Matsui, creator of Assassination Classroom, joined the list of top banned authors for the first time, with 22 of his titles removed 54 times.
the rise in book bans reflects a broader cultural debate about the role of education, parental rights, and the protection of children. Critics argue that these bans stifle critical thinking, limit exposure to diverse perspectives, and undermine the principles of intellectual freedom.Proponents, though, contend that they are necessary to shield students from potentially harmful or inappropriate content. The American Library Association has been tracking challenges to books for decades, noting that they often spike during times of social and political unrest.
Did You Know? According to the ALA, the majority of challenged books are written by or about members of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color.
Frequently Asked Questions about Book Bans
- What is a book ban? A book ban is the removal of books from school or public library shelves,frequently enough due to objections to their content.
- Why are books being banned? Common reasons include concerns about sexually explicit content, violence, or themes deemed inappropriate for certain age groups.
- Are book bans legal? The legality of book bans is complex and varies by state, frequently enough involving First Amendment rights and educational standards.
- What is the impact of book bans on students? Book bans limit students’ access to diverse perspectives, potentially hindering their critical thinking skills and understanding of the world.
- How can I support efforts to combat book bans? You can support organizations like PEN America and the american Library Association, advocate for intellectual freedom in your community, and participate in local school board meetings.
- what role do parents play in these bans? Parental concerns are often a driving force behind book bans; however, educators stress the importance of balancing parental rights with students’ right to read.
- Are graphic novels and manga also being targeted? Yes, graphic novels and manga like Yũsei Matsui’s work are increasingly included in book ban challenges.
What are your thoughts on the recent increase in book bans? Do you believe these actions protect students, or do they limit their intellectual freedom? Share your viewpoint in the comments below.
The Landscape of Book Challenges & Censorship
Book challenges in U.S.schools are on the rise, impacting access to diverse literature and sparking crucial conversations about intellectual freedom. Understanding which authors are most frequently targeted is vital for educators, parents, and students alike. This isn’t simply about individual books; it’s a pattern revealing anxieties about representation, identity, and challenging societal norms. The American library Association (ALA) tracks these challenges, providing valuable data on trends in book banning and censorship in schools.
As of early October 2025, coinciding with Banned Books Week (October 5-11, 2025, with Let freedom read Day on October 11th), these authors consistently appear on lists of most challenged authors:
* Maureen Johnson: Frequently challenged for LGBTQ+ content and mature themes in novels like Truly Devious.
* Sarah J. Maas: Her A Court of Thorns and Roses series and Crescent city series are frequently enough targeted due to sexual content and depictions of violence.
* Angie Thomas: The Hate U Give, a powerful novel addressing racial injustice and police brutality, remains a frequent target.
* John Green: Looking for Alaska and other works are challenged for sexual references, language, and themes of grief.
* Jasmine Guillory: Her romance novels,frequently enough featuring diverse characters,face challenges related to mature themes and representation.
* Ellen Hopkins: Known for her verse novels tackling challenging topics like addiction and abuse, Hopkins’ books like Impulse are consistently challenged.
* George M. Johnson: All Boys Aren’t Blue, a memoir exploring Black queer identity, is among the most challenged books in recent years.
* Alex Gino: George (now published as Melissa), a middle-grade novel about a transgender girl, is a frequent target of book challenges.
* Rainbow Rowell: Eleanor & Park is frequently enough challenged for LGBTQ+ content and language.
* Toni Morrison: Classic works like Beloved continue to be challenged for mature themes, violence, and discussions of slavery.
Several recurring themes explain why these authors are disproportionately challenged:
* LGBTQ+ Representation: Books featuring LGBTQ+ characters or themes are the most frequently challenged. This reflects ongoing debates about age appropriateness and parental rights.
* Racial and Social Justice: Works addressing racism, police brutality, and systemic inequality, like those by Angie thomas and Ibram X. Kendi, are frequently enough targeted.
* Sexuality and Sexual Content: Novels with explicit or suggestive content, even when relevant to the plot, are common targets.
* Mature Themes: books dealing with difficult topics like abuse, addiction, mental health, and violence are frequently challenged, frequently enough framed as being “inappropriate” for certain age groups.
* Diverse Characters & Perspectives: Challenges often arise when books present perspectives that differ from the dominant culture or challenge traditional values.
Understanding the Challenge Process: A Step-by-Step Look
The process of challenging a book typically unfolds as follows:
- Initial Complaint: A parent, community member, or school official files a formal complaint about a book.
- Review Committee: A committee comprised of educators, librarians, parents, and sometimes students reviews the book and the complaint.
- Recommendation: The committee makes a recommendation to the school board or administration – to retain the book, restrict access, or remove it entirely.
- Decision: The school board or administration makes a final decision.
This process isn’t always obvious, and concerns exist about the influence of organized groups pushing for book bans.
The Impact of Censorship on Students
censorship in schools has meaningful consequences:
* Limited Perspectives: Students are denied access to diverse viewpoints and experiences, hindering their ability to develop critical thinking skills.
* Silencing Marginalized Voices: Banning books by and about marginalized communities sends a message that their stories are not valued.
* Restricted Intellectual Freedom: Students are denied the prospect to explore complex issues and form their own opinions.
* Preparation for the Real World: Shielding students from challenging content doesn’t prepare them for the complexities of the world.
Resources for Fighting Censorship & Supporting Intellectual Freedom
* American Library Association (ALA): https://www.ala.org/ – Provides resources, data, and advocacy tools.
* Banned Books Week: https://bannedbooksweek.org/ – Raises awareness about book challenges and censorship.
* PEN America: https://pen.org/ – Champions freedom of expression.
* national Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC): https://ncac.org/ – Works to protect free expression in schools and libraries.
* EveryLibrary: https://everylibrary.org/
