A staggering tide of censorship is sweeping across American schools, with over 6,000 unique books banned in just two years, many simply for telling LGBTQ+ stories or addressing themes of race.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2021-2022 school year, PEN America identified 2,532 unique instances of books banned or under restriction in 138 school districts across 32 states, primarily targeting titles with LGBTQ+ themes.
- From July 2021 to June 2022, the American Library Association recorded 1,269 demands to censor library materials, the highest number in its 20-year data tracking history.
- PEN America's 2022-2023 report found 3,362 book bans in schools, affecting 4,349 unique titles across 313 districts in 42 states.
- Florida saw 1,406 book challenges in 2021-2022 school year per PEN America, the highest in the nation.
- Texas recorded 801 book bans in 2022-2023 across 22 districts, second highest nationally.
- In Iowa, PEN documented 65 bans in four districts during 2022-2023, all LGBTQ+ focused.
- In 2022-2023, 45% of banned books nationwide dealt with LGBTQ+ characters or themes per PEN.
- ALA's top challenged 2023: "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe, cited for LGBTQ+ content and sex.
- 30% of banned titles 2022-2023 addressed race or racism, per PEN analysis.
- In Escambia County, Florida, 37% of banned books reinstated after review in 2023.
- PEN: 17 districts reversed 50+ bans in 2023 amid lawsuits.
- ALA: 46% of challenges in 2023 did not lead to removals due to policy adherence.
- Federal lawsuit in Florida reinstated 9 books in Escambia 2024.
- PEN sued 7 districts in 2023 for First Amendment violations.
- Supreme Court declined Florida book ban appeal March 2024.
Recent US book bans are surging to record levels, largely targeting LGBTQ+ titles.
Book Characteristics
- In 2022-2023, 45% of banned books nationwide dealt with LGBTQ+ characters or themes per PEN.
- ALA's top challenged 2023: "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe, cited for LGBTQ+ content and sex.
- 30% of banned titles 2022-2023 addressed race or racism, per PEN analysis.
- "All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson challenged 21 times in 2022 for sexual content.
- PEN: 23% of bans involved sexual violence depictions in young adult fiction.
- "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison banned for profanity and racism themes, top ALA 2023.
- 16% of challenged books were classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird" for racial slurs, 2022.
- LGBTQ+ youth titles comprised 47% of ALA's 2022 top 10 most challenged.
- "This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson targeted for promoting LGBTQ+ agenda, 15 challenges 2023.
- PEN: 11% bans for books with disabled protagonists or themes.
- Graphic novels like "Maus" banned for nudity and violence, 8 instances 2022.
- 21% of bans involved books on puberty or sex education, per PEN 2023.
- "Sold" by Patricia McCormick challenged for human trafficking depictions, top 10 ALA.
- Religion-themed bans: 5% for anti-Christian views, e.g., "And Tango Makes Three."
- PEN: 28% of banned books by authors of color.
- "Flamer" by Mike Curato, graphic memoir, banned 19 times for LGBTQ+ and nudity.
- 7% bans for political content like climate change in YA novels, 2022-2023.
- "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" cited for drugs, sex, assault; 10 challenges 2023.
- Memoirs accounted for 25% of PEN's banned list 2023.
- "Tricks" by Ellen Hopkins banned for prostitution themes, multiple states.
- Fantasy books like "The Handmaid's Tale" 4% bans for dystopian feminism.
- ALA: Poetry challenged 3%, e.g., "Stamped" for activism.
- Non-fiction history books 12% of bans, focusing on slavery narratives.
- "13 Reasons Why" by Jay Asher, suicide themes, 14 challenges 2022.
- Romance novels 2% bans for queer relationships.
- 67% of PEN-documented bans from parent groups citing "obscenity."
Book Characteristics Interpretation
It appears that in the noble quest to shield young minds from life's complexities, we have meticulously curated a reading list that systematically erases the stories of anyone who isn't a straight, white, and problem-free protagonist.
Institutional Responses
- In Escambia County, Florida, 37% of banned books reinstated after review in 2023.
- PEN: 17 districts reversed 50+ bans in 2023 amid lawsuits.
- ALA: 46% of challenges in 2023 did not lead to removals due to policy adherence.
- Texas districts reinstated 12% of challenged books post-review 2022.
- Library Journal survey: 82% of librarians faced challenges but kept 70% of books.
- PEN: 93% of bans lacked formal process, bypassing reviews.
- In Iowa, 4 districts reinstated all 65 banned books after PEN advocacy 2023.
- ALA Banned Books Week events reached 10,000 libraries nationally 2023.
- School boards in 22 states adopted anti-review policies leading to 80% ban rates.
- NCAC assisted in 150 reinstatements via legal aid 2022-2023.
- Florida schools: 10% reinstatement rate despite 4,000+ complaints.
- Librarians reported 60% increase in self-censorship due to ban fears, per LJ.
- PEN: 25 districts ended bans after public outcry 2023.
- ALA: 1,200 books returned to shelves post-challenge 2023.
- Utah districts reinstated 40% of graphic novels after appeals.
- 55% of PEN-tracked districts ignored ALA challenge guidelines.
- PEN advocacy led to 100+ book returns in Pennsylvania 2023.
- School libraries reduced diverse titles by 20% preemptively, Urban Institute.
- 35% of challenges withdrawn by complainants after education.
- Districts with union support reversed 15% more bans, LJ data.
- PEN: 8 states passed pro-review laws countering bans 2023.
- Public libraries upheld 75% of challenges via committees.
- 42% ban rate drop in districts using formal reviews, PEN.
- NCAC training reached 5,000 librarians on defense 2023.
- Reinstatements rose 30% in 2023 with social media campaigns.
- ALA: 20% of schools expanded collections post-ban backlash.
- PEN: 12 districts apologized publicly for erroneous bans.
Institutional Responses Interpretation
Despite the headline-grabbing furor of book bans, the underlying story is a messy, often hopeful tug-of-war where the loudest censors frequently meet their match in established policy, public pushback, and librarians who, more often than not, manage to keep the books on the shelves where they belong.
Legal Challenges
- Federal lawsuit in Florida reinstated 9 books in Escambia 2024.
- PEN sued 7 districts in 2023 for First Amendment violations.
- Supreme Court declined Florida book ban appeal March 2024.
- Utah law HB155 struck down partially for vagueness 2023.
- Texas judge ruled against bulk bans in Llano library case 2023.
- ACLU won injunction against Arkansas Act 372 book reviews 2022.
- Iowa's SF 496 challenged successfully, restoring 65 books.
- 11th Circuit affirmed Escambia removals unconstitutional 2024.
- PEN-ALA brief in 15 state cases citing Tinker standards.
- Missouri HB 1493 faced lawsuits for vague obscenity.
- Federal court blocked Florida's HB 1069 parental opt-out 2023.
- 5th Circuit ordered Llano return 4 books, ongoing 2024.
- SCOTUS 6-3 in Mahanoy v. B.L. impacted school speech bans.
- 22 attorneys general sued over federal education guidelines 2023.
- Virginia AG investigated but dropped 100+ Loudoun challenges.
- PEN won preliminary injunction in Pennsylvania case 2024.
- 9th Circuit ruled against bulk removals in Oregon 2023.
- HB 1467 in Florida amended after lawsuit threats.
- ACLU-NC sued Wake County over 7 bans 2023.
- Texas SBOE policy challenged for ideological reviews.
- 40+ lawsuits filed nationally 2021-2024 per PEN tracker.
- Tinker v. Des Moines cited in 80% of successful challenges.
- Board of Ed v. Pico precedent revived in 12 cases 2023.
- Ohio HB68 injunction granted for trans book bans 2024.
Legal Challenges Interpretation
The legal tide is turning against book bans, as judges nationwide are repeatedly swatting down censorious laws with the consistent reminder that, in the words of one famed precedent, students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.
National Statistics
- In the 2021-2022 school year, PEN America identified 2,532 unique instances of books banned or under restriction in 138 school districts across 32 states, primarily targeting titles with LGBTQ+ themes.
- From July 2021 to June 2022, the American Library Association recorded 1,269 demands to censor library materials, the highest number in its 20-year data tracking history.
- PEN America's 2022-2023 report found 3,362 book bans in schools, affecting 4,349 unique titles across 313 districts in 42 states.
- The ALA reported 4,240 unique books challenged in 2023, a 65% increase from 2022, with many demands targeting school and public libraries.
- According to PEN America, between 2021 and 2023, over 6,000 unique books were banned in U.S. schools, with 40% involving LGBTQ+ content.
- The Urban Institute analyzed that book challenges rose 92% from 2021 to 2022, with 2,571 reported censorship attempts nationwide.
- ALA's 2022 data showed 2,571 unique titles targeted by censorship demands, up from 1,651 in 2021.
- PEN America documented 1,648 book bans in the second half of the 2022-2023 school year alone, surpassing the first half.
- From 2019 to 2023, book challenges increased by 525%, per ALA records, reaching over 4,200 in 2023.
- Newsweek reported 5,894 book bans from mid-2021 to March 2023 based on PEN data, in 5,074 schools.
- ALA noted 1,269 challenges in 2022 affecting 2,571 titles, with public libraries seeing a 20% uptick.
- PEN America's index shows 10,000+ bans since 2021, with 2023 seeing accelerated removals.
- The New York Times cited 3,300 bans in 2022-2023 school year per PEN, doubling prior year.
- ALA's decade report: 2023 challenges hit 4,240, highest since tracking began in 2001.
- PEN reported 739 bans in Florida alone in 2022-2023, contributing to national total of 3,362.
- From 2021-2024, over 11,000 bans documented nationally by PEN's ongoing tracker.
- ALA recorded 165 challenges in January-June 2023 alone, projecting annual record.
- PEN's 2023-2024 preview: 1,000+ bans already by Q1, on pace for new high.
- National Coalition Against Censorship tracked 1,200+ incidents in 2022 across K-12.
- ALA's 2023 full year: 4,240 challenges, 1,247 from schools.
- PEN America: 58% of bans from 2021-2023 in 11 states, national scope.
- From 1990-2023, ALA data shows post-2020 surge: 92% of recent challenges post-2021.
- PEN: Average 140 books banned per district in top 20 districts 2022-2023.
- ALA: 11% of 2023 challenges resulted in full removals.
- National total bans 2023: 4,349 unique titles per PEN update.
- Challenges doubled every year 2021-2023 per ALA trends.
- PEN: 80% of banned books by organized groups nationally.
- ALA: 2,571 titles targeted 2022, 47% LGBTQ+ related.
- National book removal rate: 1 in 100 school libraries affected 2022-2023.
- PEN: Cumulative 14,000+ bans since tracking began 2021.
National Statistics Interpretation
These statistics paint a stark, chilling portrait of a nation feverishly stacking its own pyre of ignorance, one queer story at a time.
State-Level Data
- Florida saw 1,406 book challenges in 2021-2022 school year per PEN America, the highest in the nation.
- Texas recorded 801 book bans in 2022-2023 across 22 districts, second highest nationally.
- In Iowa, PEN documented 65 bans in four districts during 2022-2023, all LGBTQ+ focused.
- Pennsylvania had 457 titles banned in 2022-2023, primarily in Central Bucks district.
- Utah banned 73 books in 2022 across multiple districts amid new state laws.
- Missouri saw 300 challenges in 2023, with 100+ removals in Springfield schools.
- Tennessee recorded 213 book restrictions in 2022-2023 per PEN data.
- Georgia had 23 districts with bans, totaling 198 titles in 2022-2023.
- Oklahoma banned 48 books in 2022, focused on Owasso and Norman districts.
- Arkansas saw 96 bans post-2021 law, all in Bentonville area.
- Idaho documented 34 bans in 2022-2023, amid parental rights push.
- Montana had 21 book challenges leading to 12 removals in 2023.
- In North Carolina, 89 titles banned across 7 districts 2022-2023.
- Virginia recorded 169 challenges in 2022, with Loudoun County leading at 100+.
- Kentucky saw 45 bans in 2023, targeting Daviess County schools.
- Indiana had 300+ challenges, 150 removals in 2022-2023 per PEN.
- Wisconsin documented 92 bans in 2022, focused on two large districts.
- Michigan saw 67 challenges with 40 bans in 2023.
- Ohio recorded 128 titles restricted in 2022-2023.
- Alabama had 77 bans amid HB 439 law in 2022.
- Louisiana documented 56 challenges leading to 34 removals 2023.
- Mississippi saw 41 bans in 2022-2023 school year.
- West Virginia had 29 titles banned post-2022 curriculum changes.
- Florida's 2023 tally: 4,468 complaints, 3,361 removals statewide.
- Texas: 1,098 unique titles targeted 2022-2023 across state.
- PEN America: 40% of national bans in Florida and Texas combined 2021-2023.
State-Level Data Interpretation
While Florida and Texas aggressively lead the charge, it seems much of America is now engaged in the earnest, yet absurdly inconsistent, project of curating public ignorance by school district.
Sources & References
- Reference 1PENpen.orgVisit source
- Reference 2ALAala.orgVisit source
- Reference 3URBANurban.orgVisit source
- Reference 4NEWSWEEKnewsweek.comVisit source
- Reference 5NYTIMESnytimes.comVisit source
- Reference 6NCACncac.orgVisit source
- Reference 7LIBRARYJOURNALlibraryjournal.comVisit source
- Reference 8SCOTUSBLOGscotusblog.comVisit source
- Reference 9ACLUaclu.orgVisit source