New York, October 2, 2025
News Summary
PEN America’s recent report reveals that Stephen King is the most banned author in U.S. schools, with over 206 instances of censorship. The report documented approximately 6,800 book bans for the 2024-2025 school year, significantly down from over 10,000 last year. The majority of these bans originated from Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. The findings highlight the ongoing debate surrounding censorship and access to diverse materials in education.
New York — PEN America’s report “Banned in the USA” found that Stephen King was the most banned author in U.S. schools for the 2024-2025 school year, while the organization tracked over 6,800 instances of book bans nationwide, down from more than 10,000 in 2023-24.
Key findings
PEN America’s report “Banned in the USA” tracks over 6,800 instances of book bans for the 2024-2025 school year, a reduction from over 10,000 in 2023-24. The current number of bans is significantly higher than levels seen a few years prior, prompting PEN America to report on the issue. Approximately 80% of book bans originated in three states: Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, which have enacted laws targeting objectionable materials.
Stephen King was the most banned author in the report, with 206 instances of censorship affecting 87 of his works, including notable titles like “Carrie” and “The Stand.” The most frequently banned book overall was Anthony Burgess’s “A Clockwork Orange,” with 23 recorded removals.
Patterns and reasons for removals
Common reasons for pulling books include themes related to LGBTQ+, depictions of race, violence, and sexual violence. A noted trend is the proactive removal of books in anticipation of community or political pressure, rather than direct threats, described in the report as obeying in advance. Critics included in the report argue that bans attempt to stifle conversations about race and sexuality and restrict access to diverse ideas.
The report documents that the ongoing censorship efforts not only come from state laws but also involve federal government actions, including the Department of Education’s dismissal of investigations into the legality of book bans. Separately, the Department of Defense has removed hundreds of books from K-12 libraries for military families as part of a broader initiative against DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) frameworks.
State-by-state contrast
In Florida, over 2,000 books have been banned or restricted, with specific counties responsible for many of the removals of King’s works due to compliance reviews with state laws. By contrast, states such as Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey have laws that limit the ability of school and public libraries to remove books, resulting in little to no instances of book bans reported in those states.
Data collection and limitations
PEN’s methodology differs from that of the American Library Association (ALA), as PEN counts transient restrictions, while ALA only records permanent removals. PEN’s data may be incomplete due to reliance on media reports and challenges in documenting bans in several states, such as Ohio, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The report notes that data gaps and differing definitions of removal make direct comparisons between sources complex.
Other authors and works affected
Other authors facing significant censorship include Patricia McCormick (noted for “Sold”), Judy Blume (“Forever”), Jennifer Niven (“Breathless”), Sarah J. Maas, and Jodi Picoult. Action against these works often cited the same themes: sexual content, race, and LGBTQ+ material.
Implications and next steps
The report frames the issue as a growing nationwide trend with concentrated activity in a few states and contrasting protections in others. PEN America’s findings point to a mix of state law changes, local compliance reviews, and federal-level actions that together have increased scrutiny of library and classroom materials. The organization recommends clearer documentation of removals and consistent reporting standards to improve transparency and public understanding.
Background
PEN America released the “Banned in the USA” report to document recent trends in book removals across K-12 schools and libraries. The report provides a snapshot of the 2024-2025 school year and compares it with the previous year, noting both the decline in the total number of recorded instances from 2023-24 and the sustained elevation of restrictions compared with earlier years.
FAQ
What does PEN America’s report track?
PEN America’s report “Banned in the USA” tracks over 6,800 instances of book bans for the 2024-2025 school year, a reduction from over 10,000 in 2023-24.
Who was the most banned author?
Stephen King was the most banned author in the report, with 206 instances of censorship affecting 87 of his works, including notable titles like “Carrie” and “The Stand.”
Which book was most frequently banned?
The most frequently banned book overall was Anthony Burgess’s “A Clockwork Orange,” with 23 recorded removals.
Where do most bans originate?
Approximately 80% of book bans originated in three states: Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, which have enacted laws targeting objectionable materials.
How many books were banned or restricted in Florida?
In Florida, over 2,000 books have been banned or restricted, with specific counties responsible for many of the removals of King’s works due to compliance reviews with state laws.
How does PEN count bans compared to other organizations?
PEN’s methodology differs from that of the American Library Association (ALA), as PEN counts transient restrictions, while ALA only records permanent removals.
Are there limitations to PEN’s data?
PEN’s data may be incomplete due to reliance on media reports and challenges in documenting bans in several states, such as Ohio, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
What reasons are given for pulling books?
Common reasons for pulling books include themes related to LGBTQ+, depictions of race, violence, and sexual violence.
Are federal agencies involved?
The ongoing censorship efforts not only come from state laws but also involve federal government actions, including the Department of Education’s dismissal of investigations into the legality of book bans.
Has the Department of Defense taken action?
The Department of Defense has removed hundreds of books from K-12 libraries for military families as part of a broader initiative against DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) frameworks.
Summary chart
Key Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Total tracked bans (2024-2025) | Over 6,800 instances |
Previous year total (2023-24) | Over 10,000 instances |
Most banned author | Stephen King — 206 instances affecting 87 works |
Most frequently banned book | Anthony Burgess’s “A Clockwork Orange” — 23 removals |
Concentration of bans | Approximately 80% in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee |
Florida removals | Over 2,000 books banned or restricted |
Methodology note | PEN counts transient restrictions; ALA records permanent removals |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Washington Post: Banned Books in Schools
- Newsweek: Stephen King Most Banned Author in U.S.
- Time: Book Bans in Schools
- Fox10TV: Stephen King Most Banned Author Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Book Bans

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