Record 12,000 Book Bans in US Schools: A Crisis of Censorship
The 2025-2026 school year saw an alarming rise in book bans, with Texas leading the way. PEN America highlights a growing censorship crisis in education.
Record 12,000 Book Bans in US Schools: A Crisis of Censorship
In a shocking revelation, the 2025-2026 school year has recorded nearly 12,000 book bans in public schools across the United States, according to a new report by PEN America. This marks the highest annual total since the organization began tracking these censorship incidents in 2021. Alarmingly, Texas tops the list with a staggering 8,100 bans, raising serious questions about the state of free expression in American education.
As the crisis of book censorship deepens, notable authors like Stephen King have found themselves among the most frequently banned. This trend not only impacts students' access to diverse perspectives but also raises significant concerns about who decides what is deemed appropriate for young minds.
With a total of 34,000 instances of book bans documented since 2021, the question looms: What measures are being taken to protect students' rights to access literature? As reported by The Guardian, this escalating issue demands urgent attention from policymakers and educators alike to ensure that the voices of all authors are heard in classrooms across the nation.
Source: The Guardian US
