Entertainment · Books & Arts · 3 hrs ago
John Green’s Books Face Rising Censorship in US Schools
US schools banned 7,370 book titles in 2025-26, according to PEN America, which tracks removals from middle and high school libraries.
Novelist John Green’s books are among those targeted, including *Looking for Alaska* and *The Fault in Our Stars*.
The restrictions have been especially widespread in Florida and Texas.
Reasons cited include LGBTQ+ characters, racism, feminism, violence and discussions of death.
The total nearly doubled from 3,743 titles the previous year, amid Donald Trump’s return to power and new local laws.
Green said he was disheartened and worried about challenges to free speech.
His new novel, Hollywood, Ending, is due in France in January 2027.
PEN America recorded 7,370 book titles banned in parts of the United States during the 2025-2026 school year.
John Green’s novels, including Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, are among the books regularly targeted.
The total was nearly double the 3,743 titles recorded the previous year.
PEN America said the bans occurred especially in Florida and Texas and cited a range of reasons, including LGBTQ+ characters and themes seen as political.
Green said he was concerned that more people were trying to dictate what speech is allowed.
- Who
- John Green and PEN America are central to the report; Green’s books are among those targeted.
- What
- School book bans rose to 7,370 titles in 2025-2026, including Green’s novels.
- When
- The figures cover the 2025-2026 school year; PEN America released its report on October 6.
- Where
- Parts of the United States, especially Florida and Texas.
- Why
- Reasons cited for bans include violence, discussion of death, LGBTQ+ characters, transgressive stories, and themes seen as overly political.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
PEN America recorded 3,743 banned titles.
PEN America recorded 7,370 titles banned in various parts of the United States.
PEN America released its latest report on book bans.
Green’s novel Hollywood, Ending is scheduled for release in France.
- Banned titles, 2025-2026
- 7,370
- Banned titles, previous year
- 3,743
- Books targeted
- Looking for Alaska; The Fault in Our Stars
- Areas especially affected
- Florida and Texas
- Green’s book sales
- More than 60 million copies
What people are saying
I never thought I’d live in a country where the First Amendment – which protects free speech as a foundational principle – would be challenged like this. Yet, we’re seeing more people trying to dictate what speech is allowed. It’s scary.