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The U.S. Just Hit A Record High For Book Bans
HuffPost • • nation
Key Points:
- The 2025–26 school year saw a record-high 11,982 book bans nationwide, with Texas and Florida leading due to state legislation and pressure campaigns targeting books on racial diversity and LGBTQ+ issues.
- PEN America reported 7,370 unique titles banned, including 4,500 newly targeted books, possibly influenced by AI tools flagging controversial titles based on bans elsewhere.
- Frequently banned books include "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" (mental health themes), "The Kite Runner" (Afghan culture and social issues), and works by Ellen Hopkins addressing real-life teen struggles like addiction and abuse.
- Other challenged titles like "The Fault In Our Stars" and "Speak" provide important narratives about illness, coping, and sexual assault, offering empathy and support to young readers facing similar issues.
- Librarians emphasize that removing these books harms teens by denying them stories that reflect their experiences or broaden their understanding, underscoring the role of literature in healing and awareness.
