PEN America Reports 200% Increase in School Book Bans
PEN America Reports 200% Increase in School Book Bans

PEN America Reports 200% Increase in School Book Bans

News summary

PEN America's recent report reveals a staggering 200% increase in book bans in public schools during the 2023-2024 school year, totaling 10,046 bans across the nation. A significant 43% of these bans completely prohibited access to the books, marking a dramatic rise from previous years. The organization noted that the majority of targeted books address themes related to race, sexuality, and gender identity, with Jodi Picoult's 'Nineteen Minutes' being the most commonly banned title. The report highlights that Florida and Iowa led in book bans, with many of the restrictions resulting from laws promoting censorship in these states. Additionally, an emerging trend is the censorship of books discussing real-world issues such as mental health, substance abuse, and violence, raising concerns about the impact on young readers' understanding of the world. Kasey Meehan of PEN America emphasized the necessity of defending the freedom to read and learn as a crucial principle of public education.

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