Archive · 8 Oct 2026
PEN America Reports Record 11,982 Public-School Book Bans
PEN America counted book-ban cases in public schools across the United States.
It recorded 11,982 cases during the 2025-2026 school year, the largest yearly total since it began tracking in 2021.
The cases affected 7,370 different books and other works.
More than 4,500 works were newly added to the list, and 114 school districts had bans.
Texas had the most recorded cases, followed by Florida.
Stephen King’s books were removed 312 times, and Sold was the most-banned single title.
The report says books about race, sexuality and gender identity were often challenged.
It also says some school districts increasingly used AI tools to help decide which books to remove.
Library advocates say students should have access to many ideas and stories.
PEN America recorded 11,982 book-ban cases in U.S. public schools during the 2025-2026 school year, its highest annual total since tracking began in 2021.
The bans affected 7,370 unique works and more than 4,000 authors, illustrators and translators; over 4,500 works appeared on the list for the first time.
Texas recorded 8,193 bans and Florida 3,212; 114 school districts imposed bans, a record number.
Stephen King was the most-banned author for the second consecutive year, with works removed 312 times; Sold by Patricia McCormick was the most-banned individual title, with 25 removals.
The report says challenges commonly involved race, racism, sexuality and gender identity, and that districts increasingly used AI tools to evaluate books for removal.
- Who
- PEN America reported bans imposed by U.S. public schools across 114 school districts.
- What
- The report recorded 11,982 book-ban cases affecting 7,370 unique works.
- When
- During the 2025-2026 school year; the report was released Monday during Banned Books Week.
- Where
- Public schools across the United States, with the most reported cases in Texas and Florida.
- Why
- The report says challenges commonly concerned race, racism, sexuality and gender identity; it also links Texas's increase to state law SB13.
Supporters of school-library access
Book-removal advocates and policies
Availability of books in schools
Supporters of school-library access
Library advocates and PEN America argue that bans restrict students' freedom to read and reduce the range of voices and perspectives available to them.
Book-removal advocates and policies
The articles describe removals connected to challenges, state laws and political pressure, but do not give a detailed account of challengers' arguments for removing particular books.
Role of AI in book reviews
Supporters of school-library access
The report warns that AI tools may recommend removal based on other districts' decisions rather than whether a book is obscene under the prevailing legal standard.
Book-removal advocates and policies
The articles say administrators are increasingly using AI to evaluate books, but do not provide a direct defense of that practice from administrators or other supporters.
- Bans recorded
- 11,982 during the 2025-2026 school year
- Unique works affected
- 7,370
- Works added for the first time
- More than 4,500
- School districts with bans
- 114
- Texas and Florida totals
- Texas: 8,193; Florida: 3,212
- Most-banned author
- Stephen King; works removed 312 times
- Most-banned individual title
- Sold by Patricia McCormick; 25 removals
- Tracking period
- PEN America has tracked school book removals since 2021
