A recent report shows that the number of banned non-fiction books in US schools surged to over 1,100 during the 2024-2025 school year. This is more than double the previous year. PEN America looked at 3,743 titles that were removed from libraries and classrooms. Of these, around 29% were non-fiction.
Activism and social movements emerged as the dominant themes among the banned non-fiction books. McKenna Samson, a co-author of the report, highlighted the importance of these titles for students. They offer insights into rights and stories of those who fought against injustice.
Some notable banned titles include Challenges for LGBTQ+ Teens by Martha Lundin and Elie Wiesel’s memoir, Night, which recounts his experiences during the Holocaust. Kasey Meehan, who directs PEN America’s freedom to read program, emphasized that this uptick in bans reflects a troubling trend of anti-intellectualism. It risks undermining public knowledge and education.
Books about sex education are also increasingly targeted, with double the number being banned compared to past years. Titles like You Know, Sex by Cory Silverberg are among those removed. A striking 39% of banned books featured LGBTQ+ characters, while 44% reflected people of color.
Additionally, titles discussing death and grief accounted for 48% of the bans, while books focusing on empowerment made up 39%.
Fiction is not safe either. Classic titles like Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee are also on the list of books at risk. Since PEN America began tracking bans in 2021, there have been over 23,000 instances reported.
This situation is alarming, especially considering that nearly a third of 12th-graders recently tested showed a lack of basic reading skills. The National Assessment of Educational Progress reported that reading scores are the lowest they’ve been in three decades.
The effects of these bans are concerning. With many schools limiting access to diverse perspectives, it’s crucial to reflect on the implications for education and society at large. Knowledge is power, and limiting access to information can shape the understanding and beliefs of future generations.
For more about book bans and their impact on education, you can check the American Library Association’s findings.
