PEN America: Nearly 12,000 School Book Bans in a Year, a Record High
The report counted 11,982 bans affecting 7,370 works, with race, sexuality and gender identity among the most common objections.
- On Monday, PEN America reported nearly 12,000 book bans in public schools over the past year, marking the highest total since the free-expression organization began tracking removals five years ago.
- The report titled "Banned in the USA" found 11,982 cases affecting 7,370 individual works, with objections frequently centering on themes of race, racism, sexuality, and gender identity.
- Stephen King was the author most likely to have his work withdrawn, with 312 removals; commonly targeted titles include Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," Laurie Halse Anderson's "Speak," and Patrick McCormick's "Sold."
- Monday's report arrives during "Banned Books Week," when events at schools and libraries nationwide call attention to censorship efforts that impede students' access to diverse views and literature.
- The American Library Association uses different methodology, counting only permanently pulled books, which yielded a lower count of 5,600 instances reported in April.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Book bans hit record near 12,000 as Stephen King tops list again and schools turn to AI
Nearly 12,000 bans took place in public schools over the past year, according to a new study from PEN America, the highest total since the free expression organization began tracking removals five years ago. For the second straight year, Stephen King was the author most likely to have his work withdrawn.
PEN America: Nearly 12,000 school book bans in a year, a record high – WTOP News
NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly 12,000 bans took place in public schools over the past year, according to a new study from PEN America, the highest total since the free expression organization began tracking removals five years ago. For the second straight year, Stephen King was the author most likely to have his work withdrawn....
Winnipeg Free Press
PEN America: Nearly 12,000 school book bans in a year, a record high
NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly 12,000 bans took place in public schools over the past year, according to a new study from PEN America, the highest total since the free expression organization began tracking removals five years ago. For the second straight year, Stephen King was the author most likely to have his work withdrawn.
Nearly 12,000 books were withdrawn from public school libraries in the United States last year, the highest number since censorship of titles in educational institutions across the United States began to be tracked, according to a new study by the freedom of expression organization PEN America. “Stephen King is the author whose works are most frequently withdrawn for the second year in a row. Themes of racism, sexuality, and gender […]
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