Written by Lauren James Budhu
Raise your hand if you’re an adult or a student and like to curl up with a good book, or get cozy on the floor and read to your kiddos. I sure do with my whole heart and I know so many others keep their heads buried in a book day in and day out, too. Yet the very act of reading certain books is being threatened at an alarming increase of banned books across the United States. Thousands of titles have been removed from public schools across the country over the years.
Rising educational censorship has plagued not only K-12 public schools since 2021 and years before but also a range of institutions, including public libraries, colleges, and universities, according to PEN America. Across these institutions, the public has seen a variety of policy changes and new state laws, which are designed to suppress education about specific viewpoints, identities, and histories; mainly concerning people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and sex. “This broad campaign uses falsehoods, fear, and hatred to dehumanize, dismiss, and diminish important voices in the public sphere — and these efforts are reshaping American public education,” PEN America writers said in the article “Banned in the USA: Beyond the Shelves.”
From July 2023 to June 2024, PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans recorded 10,046 instances of book bans across 29 states and 220 public school districts. When taken all together, since July 2021, they have recorded 15,940 cases of book bans across 43 states and 415 public school districts.
As of 2025, book bans have become more prevalent and more sophisticated. They're no longer just about removing books from school libraries; they now encompass digital censorship, algorithmic bias, and even social media policing. Unlike the blatant censorship of the past, today's bans often fly under the radar, disguised as algorithmic recommendations or “community guidelines.” This makes them harder to identify and challenge, as the article “Navigating Book Bans and Staying Resilient in 2025” mentioned.
These bans have had detrimental effects on our communities – if every book you read reinforced the same ideas, how would you ever grow or change? The beauty of literature is its ability to challenge us, make us question our ideals, and see the world through different lenses. Book bans threaten this fundamental aspect of our culture.
Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom. There's a growing movement of individuals and organizations dedicated to fighting back against censorship. Groups like the American Library Association and PEN America are leading the charge, providing resources and support to those affected by book bans. What can you do to help fight book bans across the country? Here are some ideas of ways you can help fight book bans across the country:
- Stay informed: Keep up with the latest news on censorship, understand the reasons behind book bans, and know your rights. Websites like the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and PEN America are great resources for staying informed.
- Build a diverse TBR list: One of the best ways to combat the narrowing effects of book bans is to actively seek out unique and diverse perspectives. Don't just stick to the bestsellers or the classics; explore independent publishers, translated works, and books from different cultures. Check out the banned books list of 2025.
- Support local libraries and bookstores: Local libraries and independent bookstores are often on the frontlines of the fight against book bans. They provide access to a wide range of books and serve as community hubs for thoughtful discourse. My local bookstore even features a banned bookshelf highlighting why each book has been challenged. I have found lots of books here!
- Advocate in your community: Advocacy is another powerful way to combat book bans. Attend local school board meetings, write letters to your representatives, or organize book clubs focusing on banned books. The key is to make your voice heard and to show that there is a demand for diverse and challenging literature. We love this!
As we look ahead to the future, it's pretty evident that the landscape of book bans will continue to evolve. Despite the challenges, let’s remain hopeful. I strongly believe that the human spirit is innately curious and resilient and that our hunger for knowledge and understanding will ultimately prevail. Onward and upward! Learn more.
