US book bans in public schools reach record annual high of 12,000

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Published: 2026-10-05T14:30:35.199Z • Permanent link

Texas dominated the list of states with the most book bans in public schools, accounting for nearly 70% of the total, according to PEN America's latest report. The Lone Star State topped the list with 8,100 bans, followed by Oklahoma with 2,500, and Florida with 2,200. The report, which analyzed data from over 1,200 schools across the country, found that the number of book bans in public schools reached a record high of 12,000 in the 2025-2026 school year.

PEN America's president, Leslie Manookian, stated that the organization is "deeply concerned about the impact of book bans on the freedom of expression and the ability of students to access diverse perspectives and ideas." The report also found that Stephen King was again the most banned author, with 13 books removed from school curricula. The list of most banned authors included authors such as John Green, Judy Blume, and Lemony Snicket.

The push for book bans in public schools has been driven by conservative groups and politicians who have sought to restrict access to certain books and authors deemed too explicit or sensitive. The controversy surrounding book bans has sparked heated debates and protests across the country, with many arguing that the restrictions infringe on students' right to free expression. In 2021, the American Library Association reported that 1,125 challenges to books were recorded in the United States, with 70% of those challenges coming from schools.

The record number of book bans in public schools has significant implications for the education sector and the broader Global Infrastructure domain. Companies that manufacture and sell educational materials, such as textbook publishers and educational software providers, may be affected by the controversy. Research communities and academics who study the impact of censorship on education may also be impacted. The controversy surrounding book bans can also have a broader impact on the markets, with investors and analysts taking note of the potential risks and opportunities in the education sector.

The impact of book bans on schools and districts can also have a direct impact on student outcomes and academic performance. Research has shown that exposure to diverse perspectives and ideas can improve students' critical thinking skills, creativity, and empathy. By restricting access to certain books and authors, schools may be limiting students' ability to engage with these concepts and develop the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Companies that specialize in educational technology and software may also be impacted by the controversy, as schools and districts consider the potential risks and benefits of using these tools.

The controversy surrounding book bans in public schools is part of a larger pattern of censorship and restriction on free expression that has been observed in recent years. In 2020, the US Supreme Court ruled in the case of Grove City College v. Pitzer that a public university could not restrict access to books based on their content, but the decision did not address the issue of book bans in public schools. The controversy surrounding book bans has also been linked to the rise of conservative Christian groups and organizations that have sought to restrict access to certain books and authors deemed too explicit or sensitive.