Book bans have become rampant, common

Book bans are more common in the United States than ever, a phenomenon that nonprofit Pen America calls a “full blown attack on public schools and democracy.” The group blames extreme conservative views and executive orders by the Trump administration for creating a culture of censorship at local, state and federal levels, particularly in Florida, Texas and Tennessee. Using data from the 2024-25 school year, the group says many bans involved LGBTQ+ themes and books it dubiously labeled “sexually explicit.” Pen notes that of the 87 districts impacted by book bans, 70 “contained evidence of a public response against censorship.”