Book Bans Surge in U.S. Schools, Affecting 2,308 Authors in Latest Wave
Book bans have surged in the U.S., with 2,308 authors affected in the latest wave. The Department of Education dismissed 11 related hoax complaints in January 2025. PEN America reported a staggering 6,870 instances across 23 states and 87 school districts in the 2024-2025 school year.
The bans targeted specific books, including 'A Clockwork Orange', 'Breathless', 'Sold', 'Last Night at the Telegraph Club', and 'A Court of Mist and Fury'. These books often discuss race, racism, LGBTQ+ topics, or have sexual references. This trend has been escalating since 2021, with nearly 23,000 cases across 45 states and 451 school districts.
Florida led with 2,304 bans, followed by Texas with 1,781 and Tennessee with 1,622. The Trump administration, in power in 2025, has actively supported these campaigns, aligning with conservative initiatives to limit access to materials addressing race, gender, and sexuality. Executive orders threaten to withhold federal funding from schools teaching 'anti-American, subversive, harmful, and false ideologies' on these topics.
Book bans, driven by conservative advocacy groups, have become a significant issue in U.S. schools. The Trump administration's involvement and potential funding cuts have escalated the situation, reminiscent of the Red Scare of the 1950s. The future of access to diverse literature in schools remains uncertain.
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