Book Bans Drop but Remain Concerning, with Stephen King Topping the List
A recent report reveals a significant drop in book bans across the U.S., with over 6,800 instances recorded in the 2024-2025 school year. However, the trend remains concerning, with certain states and authors disproportionately affected.
Three states—Florida, Texas, and Tennessee—accounted for 80% of book bans, driven by laws allowing the removal of 'objectionable' books. While specific data on Stephen King book removals in these states is scarce, they are known for contentious debates on book censorship.
King topped the list of most banned authors in the 2024-2025 school year, with 'Carrie' and 'The Stand' among the targeted titles. Other frequently banned books include 'A Clockwork Orange', 'Sold', 'Forever', 'Breathless', and works by Sarah J. Maas and Jodi Picoult. Reasons cited for bans often involve LGBTQ+ themes, racial depictions, and violent or sexual content.
In Florida alone, over 2,000 books were banned or restricted, with many Stephen King books removed due to overly cautious or fearful districts. Notably, some states like Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey have laws limiting the authority of libraries to pull books.
Despite a decrease in book bans, the trend remains alarming, with certain authors and themes disproportionately targeted. While some states actively limit book removal, others, like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, continue to drive the majority of bans. The Department of Education's termination of its investigation into book bans further complicates the issue.
Read also:
- Sinclair's Role in Empowering Students at Sergeant Tommy Prince School
- Durham Fringe Festival Breaks Records with Diverse Acts and Global Talent
- Software Ré́publique Expands Training, Launches Successful Incubator Projects
- Measuring and Adjusting Surveys about Previous Presidential Election Voting Preferences
