The number of books banned in American public schools has tripled in one year, going from 3,362 in 2023 to over 10,000 in 2024. Among the banned titles are seemingly ‘innocent’ works such as ‘Roots’ by Alex Haley or ‘Tell it on the Mountain’ by James Baldwin. After Republican-led states passed new censorship laws, the index of banned volumes has expanded exponentially, according to PEN America, a non-profit organization dedicated to freedom of expression. They estimate that around 8,000 bans are only in Florida and Iowa. In these states, it is easier to remove books from schools without a regulated process, or in some cases, without any process at all. Iowa’s law, signed in 2023, bans materials on sexual orientation and gender identity before the second grade. The legislation also explicitly bans books that discuss sexual acts.
Six major book publishers have raised a constitutional issue in Florida over the book ban after hundreds of their titles were removed from school libraries. Utah, South Carolina, and Tennessee have also recently enacted book bans. Utah, in particular, has one of the “most extreme” laws, according to PEN America, referring to law HB 29, which states that a book must be removed from all schools in the state if at least three districts have deemed the title “objectively sensitive material”. Book bans have overwhelmingly targeted stories focused on LGBTQ+ people or people of color, PEN America denounces. “Partly due to the targeting of sexual content, the sharp increase includes books containing love stories, books on women’s sexual experiences, rape or sexual abuse books, as well as those with LGBTQ+ characters or themes, race or racism, and characters of color”.
Legal action has helped restore books in some communities. A county in Florida returned 36 books to libraries, including the epic of Kunta Kinte, thanks to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of parents, students, and authors. In the meantime, freedom of expression is under threat in American public schools as the number of banned books continues to rise. Some of the banned works include acclaimed and culturally significant titles, particularly those by LGBTQ+ or BIPOC authors, or those addressing sensitive topics such as sex, race, or abuse. This trend has been exacerbated by the passing of stricter censorship laws in states like Florida and Iowa, making it easier to ban books without a formal process.
PEN America has been one of the leading voices fighting against book bans in schools, highlighting the detrimental effects they can have on students’ education and intellectual development. The censorship of works by diverse authors and on important social issues limits students’ exposure to different perspectives and ideas, hindering their ability to think critically and engage with complex topics. The organization has pointed out that the recent surge in book bans disproportionately affects marginalized communities and reinforces harmful stereotypes and biases. In response to these challenges, advocates for free speech and education are working to overturn discriminatory laws and protect the right of students to access a diverse range of literature.
The issue of book banning in American schools has sparked controversy and debate, with civil liberties organizations and educators speaking out against the censorship and its impact on academic freedom. The trend of targeting books with LGBTQ+ content or themes, along with works by authors of color, reflects broader societal challenges related to intolerance and discrimination. While legal challenges have led to some books being reinstated in certain communities, the fight for intellectual freedom and inclusive education continues. By advocating for the importance of diverse literature and opposing censorship, individuals and organizations are working to ensure that all students have access to a wide range of books and ideas that reflect the complexity and diversity of the world.
