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Stephen King was the most frequently targeted author for the second consecutive year. His books were removed 312 times, including The Shining and The Green Mile.
Books removed ranged from classic literature such as Jane Eyre to manga titles such as Tokyo Ghoul. (AI Image)
Nearly 12,000 book bans were recorded in US public schools over the past year, according to a new report by PEN America. The figure is the highest recorded since the free-expression organisation began tracking book removals five years ago, reported Economic Times.
PEN America recorded 11,982 cases involving 7,370 different books. More than 4,500 titles appeared on the list for the first time. The books ranged from classic literature such as Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë to manga titles such as Tokyo Ghoul.
Books dealing with race, racism, sexuality and gender identity continued to face the highest number of challenges. Florida and Texas accounted for a large share of the removals. Both states have introduced laws and policies that have led to increased scrutiny of books available in schools.
The report also highlighted the growing use of artificial intelligence in schools to identify books for possible removal. PEN America said this could make it easier for large numbers of books to be flagged based on specific words or themes.
Stephen King was the most frequently targeted author for the second consecutive year. His books were removed 312 times, including The Shining and The Green Mile.
Among individual titles, Sold by Patricia McCormick was the most frequently removed book, with 25 cases. The novel follows a young girl who is sold into sexual slavery in India.
Other frequently challenged books included Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak and Ellen Hopkins’ Crank. These books deal with subjects including reproductive rights, sexual assault and drug addiction.
PEN America said book bans restrict students’ access to different ideas, voices and perspectives. The latest report was released during Banned Books Week, an annual event that draws attention to censorship in schools and libraries across the US.
The American Library Association has also reported a sharp increase in book challenges in recent years. However, its figures are lower because the two organisations use different methods. PEN America counts books removed even temporarily, while the ALA counts books that are permanently removed.
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Ask News18PEN America recorded nearly 12,000 book bans in US public schools over the past year, marking the highest figure since the organisation began tracking removals five years ago.
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October 06, 2026, 2:22 pm IST
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