Book Bans in US Schools Highlight Stephen King’s Work
NEW YORK (AP) – A recent report reveals a significant trend in book bans across US schools, pointing out that Stephen King often tops the list. The landscape is divided between states actively imposing restrictions and those attempting to roll back these bans.
Released on Wednesday, Pen America’s report titled “The US Prohibition” documents over 6,800 instances of books being temporarily or permanently removed during the 2024-2025 academic year. This figure is down from more than 10,000 the previous year, though it still remains markedly higher than in past years, leading Pen to avoid editing the report.
A staggering 80% of these bans occurred in just three states: Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, which have pushed to enact or enforce laws facilitating book removals. In contrast, states like Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey showed little to no cases of book removal, despite having laws that curtail the authority of schools and libraries.
Casey Meehan, director of Penn’s freedom program and author of the report, notes, “It’s an increasingly two-country story,” emphasizing that it isn’t merely a red versus blue state issue. For example, in Florida, not every school district complied with calls to ban books, leading to discrepancies even between neighboring counties.
Among the most targeted works are King’s “Carrie” and “The Stand,” which have been cited as influential. Notably, the dystopian classic “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess was among the most banned books from the 1960s. Other frequently banned titles include Patricia McCormick’s “Sold,” Judy Blume’s “Forever,” and numerous works by other notable authors.
Measuring the extent of censorship, King’s books alone have been banned 206 times, according to the report. The reasons for banning books typically involve content related to LGBTQ+ themes, discussions of race, and depictions of violence and sexual violence. The pattern of removals is often driven by community, political, or legal pressures rather than direct threats.
The report illustrates how these actions are largely fueled by a desire to avoid topics deemed controversial, reflecting a culture rooted in fear.
Moreover, censorship efforts aren’t just limited to conservative activists at the state level; even the federal government, notably the Department of Education, has backed away from investigating the legality of such bans, labeling the entire issue as a “hoax.” Additionally, thousands of books have been removed from military school libraries due to initiatives aimed at eliminating “non-American” perspectives.
In Florida, where over 2,000 books face bans or restrictions, a handful of counties account for the majority of the removals. Many of King’s titles were reviewed to check for compliance with state laws, resulting in numerous bans being enacted.
Meehan highlights that works labeled as having “adult” or “sex content” often become targets for removal, predominantly affecting LGBTQ+ content and narratives on race. However, creators like King also find their works eliminated in overly cautious districts. “Some districts are extremely wary of repercussions, leading to an extensive purge of books,” he explained.
Pen America’s methodology diverges from that of the American Library Association (ALA), which publishes annual reports on bans focused solely on permanent removals or restrictions. Pen compiles a broader range of instances, leading to higher numbers. Both organizations admit their findings are incomplete and rely largely on media reports and personal inquiries. An expert on freedom of expression recently indicated that the true total of banned books is likely “much higher” than Pen’s summary suggests.
Notably, the report did not include data from states like Ohio, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, as researchers couldn’t access necessary documentation. Meehan commented on the growing challenge of quantifying the book ban crisis, stating, “With recent prohibitive laws, we lack comprehensive data to understand the full impact on schools. Our report represents just a snapshot based on publicly available information.”
