A free speech advocacy group warned on Oct. 1 that book censorship in public schools across the United States has become "rampant and common," with book bans increasing significantly over the last few years. Though book censorship is not a new issue, the United States has seen a sharp rise in book bans and attempted bans since 2021. PEN America's"Banned in the USA" report, released on Oct. 1, recorded about 6,800 instances of books being removed from schools during the 2024-2025 academic year. While the new number is down from the more than 10,000 bans reported in the 2023-2024 school year, PEN America noted that it was still an uptick from previous years when the advocacy group did not release an annual report or index of book bans. Since July 2021, PEN America has documented more than 22,800 cases of book bans across 45 states and 451 public school districts. According to the report, the systematic removal of books from schools and school libraries in many parts of the country has resulted in the "normalization and routinization of censorship" in public education. PEN America cited "alarming censorship pressures" on school districts, including recent federal efforts to restrict education, continued attacks on LGBTQ+ identities, and state-mandated book bans. Just days after PresidentDonald Trumptook office in January, theU.S. Department of Educationcalled book bans a "hoax" and rescinded all department guidance that had suggested school districts' "removal of age-inappropriate books from its libraries may violate civil rights laws." "Censorship pressures have expanded and escalated, taking on different forms – laws, directives, guidance that sow confusion, lists of books mislabeled as 'explicit' materials, and 'do not buy' lists," Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America's Freedom to Read program, said in a statement. "A disturbing 'everyday banning' and normalization of censorship has worsened and spread over the last four years. The result is unprecedented." Between July 2024 and June 2025, PEN America tracked 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts, according to the report. The report states that Florida led the nation for the third straight year, with over 2,300 instances of book bans for the 2024-2025 school year. Florida was followed by Texaswith more than 1,780 bans, andTennessee with over 1,600. The advocacy group noted in its report that school districts often remove titles that are attacked by extremist groups with anti-LGBTQ+ stances and are against diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. "Educators and school boards comply out of fear of losing funding, being fired or harassed, even being subjected to police involvement," PEN America said in a news release. The report found that some of Florida's book bans were the result of direct pressure from local groups and elected officials rather than formal objections filed by parents with their local school boards. The report added that the increase in bans in the state was also due to the passage of multiple "vague laws" and threats to educators' professional licenses if they failed to comply. "No book shelf will be left untouched if local and state book bans continue wreaking havoc on the freedom to read in public schools," Sabrina Baêta, senior manager of PEN America's Freedom to Read program, said in a statement. "Book bans stand in the way of a more just, informed and equitable world. They chill the freedom to read and restrict the rights of students to access information and read freely." It'sespecially important when book bans happen in Florida, according to Meehan. She said the organization watches Florida's actions in particular since they see that the pressures placed on Florida's school districts often happen in other states or at the federal government level, through the Trump administration's orders. "We have always called Florida a blueprint state, because what happens in Florida in terms of book bans then kind of trickles out to other states," Meehan said. Book bans:Librarians, teachers and others plan day of action to fight book bans and preserve history PEN America has previously reported that the majority of targeted books were written by or about a person of color, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or a woman. "The books that continue to be most frequently targeted typically contain themes related to race and racism, gender identity and sexuality, or depict sexual violence," the organization said. According to the report, the top five banned books for the 2024-2025 school year were: "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess with 23 bans "Sold" by Patricia McCormick with 20 bans "Breathless" by Jennifer Niven with 20 bans "Last Night at the Telegraph Club" by Malinda Lo with 19 bans "A Court of Mist and Fury" by Sarah J. Maas with 18 bans Graphics explain the data:Most banned books feature people of color and LGBTQ+ characters The report noted that book bans continue to impact a "wide group of creative professionals" in the literary sector. During the 2024-2025 school year, book bans affected the works of almost 2,600 people, including over 2,300 authors, more than 240 illustrators, and nearly 40 translators, according to the report. The report states that the top five banned authors in the 2024-2025 school year were: Stephen King: Eighty-seven titles banned, totaling 206 times. Ellen Hopkins: Eighteen titles banned, totaling 167 times. Sarah J. Maas: Twenty-one titles banned, totaling 162 times Jodi Picoult: Twenty-three titles banned, totaling 62 times. Yūsei Matsui: Twenty-two manga books in the Assassination Classroom series were banned, totaling 54 times. Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo. Contributing: Stephany Matat, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:PEN America warns of 'rampant and common' book bans across US
