UPDATE: The latest PEN America report reveals that Stephen King has become the most banned author in U.S. schools, highlighting a deepening divide over book censorship across the nation. Released on July 12, 2023, the report, titled “Banned in the USA,” documents over 6,800 instances of book bans for the 2024-2025 school year, signaling a troubling trend in educational censorship.
The report shows a decrease from the previous year’s alarming figure of more than 10,000 bans, yet it remains significantly higher than in years past, when such a report was unnecessary. More than 80 percent of these bans originated from just three states: Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
Kasey Meehan, director of PEN’s Freedom to Read program, states, “It is increasingly a story of two countries,” pointing out that the situation varies even within states. Notably, 206 instances of King’s works being censored were recorded, including his iconic titles like Carrie and The Stand.
The most banned book overall is A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, facing 23 removals. Other authors significantly affected include Patricia McCormick, Judy Blume, and Jennifer Niven, alongside numerous works by Sarah J. Maas and Jodi Picoult. Reasons cited for book removals often include LGBTQ+ themes, racial depictions, and instances of violence and sexual violence.
PEN’s findings underscore a disturbing trend: many books are being removed preemptively, in anticipation of community backlash or political pressure, a phenomenon labeled as “obeying in advance.” This growing culture of fear impacts not only authors but also students who seek diverse literature.
The report arrives amidst a broader context of censorship efforts, including actions from the federal government. The Department of Education recently halted initiatives aimed at investigating the legality of book bans, dismissing the issue as a “hoax.” Furthermore, the Department of Defense has removed hundreds of books from libraries serving military families, part of a wider campaign against perceived “un-American” content.
In Florida alone, over 2,000 books have been banned or restricted, with several counties responsible for many of King’s removals. The report illustrates that some districts, in a bid to avoid penalties, are sweeping their bans too broadly, affecting even established authors like King.
Meehan notes, “Some districts…will sweep so wide they end up removing Stephen King from access, too.” This highlights the irrationality behind many of these bans, which disproportionately target works addressing race, racism, and LGBTQ+ issues.
The PEN report’s methodology differs from that of the American Library Association, which counts only permanent removals. PEN’s numbers are much higher due to its broader criteria, capturing all instances of restriction, not just those that are permanent.
Stephana Ferrell from the Florida Freedom to Read Project commented that total bans are “likely much higher” than represented in PEN’s analysis.
The report also lacks data from several “red” states, including Ohio and Oklahoma, due to insufficient documentation. Meehan emphasizes the increasing difficulty in quantifying the book banning crisis, stating, “Our data is snapshot. It’s what we were able to collect through what’s publicly reported or on websites or what journalists have uncovered.”
As the landscape of education evolves, the implications of these bans could affect countless students seeking to engage with diverse perspectives. The urgency of this issue demands immediate attention and action to ensure that literature remains accessible to all.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it unfolds.