For the 2025 school year, more than 6,800 books have been banned in public schools across 23 states. The most common books that have been banned are LGBTQ+ books, teen romantasy, and international bestsellers.
reporters have been comparing the book bans to the Red Scare of the 1950s. Most of the bans across all 23 states started in three states: Tennessee, Texas, and Florida. Since July of 2021, there have been reported to be more than 22,800 book bans across 45 of the 50 states.
While this year has seen a drop in book bans compared to past years, many people believe it is because the books banned are being taken off the shelves or just never returning to the shelves. Numerous people have also expressed their concerns about this, going against our First Amendment.
Many books with LGBTQ+ characters or themes make up the most-banned books in countless public schools. PEN is a non-profit organization that advocates for free speech and literature. PEN says that some politicians have even started threatening public funding to get schools and other places, such as libraries, and public places to censor books based on their ideological views.
Reporters have also said the book bans are “symptoms” of the breakup of public education and weakening of democracy in the United States.
