UNITED STATES / RankWire.AI / – According to PEN America, public schools across the United States imposed 11,982 book bans during the 2025-26 academic year. This figure represents the highest yearly total since the organization began monitoring school restrictions in 2021. These bans targeted 7,370 distinct titles across 114 school districts, involving more than 4,000 authors, illustrators, and translators. Notably, Canadian writers Margaret Atwood and Ryan North were among those whose works faced censorship.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Atwood continued to be affected by school book bans. Meanwhile, North’s Romeo and/or Juliet: A Chooseable Path Adventure was added to PEN America’s index for the first time. Books aimed at young adults made up more than half of the titles restricted in this period. Fiction titles accounted for over 80% of the total bans documented. Additionally, more than 4,500 titles appeared in the index for the first time, expanding the scope of books embroiled in disputes over school collections.
The majority of these bans were concentrated in Texas and Florida. Texas led with over 8,100 incidents, while Florida reported more than 3,200. PEN America indicated that legislation enacted in these states influenced bans in 72% of the districts under observation. During the 2025-26 school year, Texas Senate Bill 13 extended parental oversight of school library content, establishing statewide rules for materials deemed harmful, indecent, profane, or unsuitable for minors.
Conservative activism influences the wave of book challenges
Organizations with conservative orientations have taken an active role in campaigns aimed at removing books from public school shelves. Groups such as Moms for Liberty, Citizens Defending Freedom, and Parents’ Rights in Education have supported efforts to challenge school materials. PEN America previously described these organizations as part of a broader conservative movement centered on education and parental control. National library data for 2025 revealed that pressure groups, government officials, and institutional decision-makers accounted for 92% of reported book challenges, whereas individual parents represented fewer than 3%.
Patterns emerge in the subjects targeted during many of these challenges. PEN America reports that books dealing with race, racism, LGBTQ+ topics, sexuality, and sexual violence are frequently involved. Works featuring people of color are also often cited in records. Many of these titles had been selected by educators and librarians for school collections before facing opposition. Currently, legislative measures, public hearings, and organized campaigns significantly influence which books students can access.
Advocates for free expression warn of escalating restrictions
Since the expansion of national monitoring efforts, the scope of book restrictions in U.S. schools has widened dramatically. PEN America has documented over 34,000 school book bans since 2021. The American Library Association recorded 4,235 unique titles challenged during 2025 alone. It also reported 5,668 books banned from libraries and an additional 920 subject to access restrictions. Despite different methodologies, both organizations highlight widespread pressure on educational materials and literature nationwide.
The inclusion of Atwood and North in the latest figures adds an international aspect, yet the core issue continues to revolve around U.S. education policies. Laws supported by Republicans and conservative advocacy groups now heavily influence decisions regarding school library collections. Free-speech organizations argue that broad censorship limits students’ access to literature on identity, race, sexuality, and other controversial topics. Supporters of tighter controls contend that schools need to evaluate materials for age appropriateness. Overall, recent data indicates that this ongoing conflict impacts thousands of titles across public schools in the United States.
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