PEN America reports surge in book bans

PEN America said its latest school censorship data show book bans remain widespread in U.S. public schools, extending a campaign the group says accelerated in 2021. The organization’s 2024-25 index recorded 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts, according to its public database. Since July 2021, PEN America said it has documented 22,810 cases of book bans across 45 states and 451 districts. The figures have circulated again this week as local disputes, including the removal of Alex Haley’s “Roots” in Knox County, Tennessee, put fresh attention on how districts are applying state laws and review policies. ### Which PEN America numbers are driving this story? PEN America’s core figure is 22,810 documented book-ban cases since July 2021, a total the group says is without precedent in U.S. public schools. The organization’s October 2025 report, “The Normalization of Book Banning,” said those cases spanned 45 states and 451 public school districts. The 2024-25 school year alone accounted for 6,870 ban instances across 23 states and 87 districts, according to PEN America’s current index page. (pen.org) PEN America also said Florida recorded 2,304 instances, Texas 1,781 and Tennessee 1,622 in that school year. ### What does PEN America count as a book ban? PEN America defines a school book ban as an action taken against a book based on its content that results in a title being removed entirely or student access being restricted or diminished. (pen.org) Its index says that can stem from parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or direct or threatened action by lawmakers and other officials. (pen.org) The database also says some bans are temporary and some remain in place. PEN America separates district-level cases from statewide “no read” mechanisms, and says Tennessee enacted such a mechanism in 2024, though its 2024-25 index page says it had not yet been reported as used for the statewide category it tracks. ### Why has the May 7 report drawn new attention? PEN America’s May 7 report, “Facts & Fiction,” focused on the content of 3,743 unique titles removed from school libraries and classrooms during the 2024-25 school year. (pen.org) The group said 29% of those unique titles were nonfiction, more than double the share in the previous school year. PEN America said the report examined removals between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. (pen.org) In its press release, the group said the rise in nonfiction bans included books about history, biography and real-world subjects, and Sabrina Baêta of PEN America said the pattern showed students were losing access to books that help them “understand the world around them.” (pen.org) ### How does the Knox County “Roots” case fit in? La Voce di New York reported on May 16 that Knox County Schools in Tennessee had pulled Alex Haley’s “Roots” from school libraries. Knox News reported the removal as part of a broader district list that has now reached 119 titles. WBIR reported the district acted under Tennessee’s Age-Appropriate Materials Act. (pen.org) PEN America’s index page says Tennessee was among the states with high numbers of district-level bans in 2024-25, though the group’s statewide-ban category had not yet logged Tennessee as used in the way it tracks Utah and South Carolina. ### Where can readers check the underlying data? (lavocedinewyork.com) PEN America keeps a public 2024-25 school book ban index on its website with searchable entries by title, district and statewide actions. The organization says that index is the source data for its 2025 report, “The Normalization of Book Banning.” PEN America’s reports page also lists the May 7, 2026 report “Facts & Fiction,” which analyzes the 3,743 unique titles banned in 2024-25. (wbir.com) The group’s broader book-bans page says it continues to update resources, lists and related litigation, including a federal lawsuit it joined in Tennessee in April 2025. PEN America’s searchable index and reports remain publicly available as of May 17, 2026, and Knox County Schools’ recent removals are likely to keep Tennessee in focus as districts continue reviewing titles under state law. (pen.org 1) (pen.org 2)