book bans

Banned Books Week, the annual campaign highlighting attempts to remove books from libraries and schools, is drawing renewed attention. Readers and librarians are discussing titles frequently challenged in recent years and the broader debate over censorship, book access for young people, and intellectual freedom in public institutions.

PEN America has released its Banned Books List for 2026, documenting titles removed or restricted in schools and libraries. The annual list is closely watched as a measure of censorship trends in the United States, and each new edition typically reignites debate between free-speech advocates and parents or officials who back removals.

To mark Banned Books Week, a resource titled 'Finding Bold When Representation Is Banned' is being shared by Underground Bookshelf, aimed at helping readers and writers find books by and about marginalized groups despite rising book bans. The resource highlights ongoing concern about censorship and the loss of representation in school and public libraries.

Banned Books Week has started, the annual event highlighting efforts to remove or restrict books in libraries and schools. Readers, librarians and authors are sharing titles that have faced challenges and discussing ongoing censorship debates in the United States and elsewhere.

Children's classics that are among the most frequently challenged or banned in libraries are also some of the most widely read and beloved novels. Advocates note many bans cite trivial or ridiculous reasons. The list highlights famous titles that continue to top borrowing and sales figures even as they face removal attempts in schools and libraries.

Banned Books Week has begun, drawing attention to the most common justifications cited for removing library books: claims of obscenity harmful to minors, the presence of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes, and coverage of race, racism, equity and social justice. Supporters of the campaign argue many of these challenges misrepresent the content, and readers are being encouraged to check challenged titles and defend access to them in libraries and schools.

A new survey of K-12 educators finds many teachers and school librarians are self-censoring, avoiding or dropping certain books from lessons and collections to steer clear of controversy over reading materials. The findings come amid ongoing public disputes in the United States over book bans, curriculum content and what students should be allowed to read in schools.

A new report finds Texas has overtaken Florida as the state with the most banned school books. Florida, which has drawn national attention for removing titles from classrooms, has now been surpassed. The findings are being widely reported in both states, fueling ongoing debate over book restrictions in public schools and who decides what students can read.

Book bans in US school districts increased further during the 2025-26 school year, according to a new report from K-12 Dive. The findings point to a continued escalation of efforts to remove titles from school libraries and curricula, extending a trend that has drawn national debate over censorship, parental rights and students' access to literature.

Author Patricia McCormick says she is "really quite mystified" that "Sold," her novel about child sex trafficking, has become the most banned book in the United States this year. In an interview with Meredith Blake, McCormick discusses what it feels like to top the banned-books list, drawing fresh attention to debates over book censorship in schools and the handling of human trafficking in young adult fiction.

New data indicate that challenges to books, particularly in schools and libraries, remain close to record levels. The figures suggest that efforts to remove titles from shelves have not eased despite ongoing national debate over censorship, content appropriateness, and intellectual freedom in education.

The American Library Association has released a list of the 150 most challenged books documented from 1990 through 2025. The release coincides with Banned Books Week and the ALA's official 150th anniversary on October 6. Librarians and readers are sharing the list as debates over book challenges in schools and libraries continue across the United States.

A banned book is the topic of discussion, with the claim that it was banned 'for being based'. Beyond the headline, no details about the book's title, author, or where and when the ban took place are available, so the substance of the ban and the debate around it remain unclear.

A new review examines 'The Librarians,' a documentary about book censorship and the librarians who resist it, calling the film timely and relevant to current debates over banned books. The review highlights how the documentary captures the pressures librarians face as challenges to books continue across schools and libraries, making it a discussion point in ongoing culture-war conversations.

Banned Books Week is drawing attention from the art world, with coverage spotlighting artists' reading recommendations and engagement with censored literature. The observance, which highlights challenged and banned titles, continues to prompt discussion among writers, librarians, and cultural figures about censorship and freedom of expression.

Book bans in U.S. schools have reached their highest level in five years, according to an update circulated by EdSource. The report underscores the intensifying battles over school library and curriculum titles, with parents, educators and advocacy groups clashing over what students should be allowed to read. The trend has drawn national attention as several states expand restrictions on books dealing with race, gender and sexuality.

American Libraries Magazine is marking Banned Books Week 2026, the annual observance highlighting attempts to remove books from libraries and schools. The event draws attention to censorship debates in the United States, with librarians, authors and readers sharing challenged titles and defending free access to reading materials.

Amnesty International is calling on people to show solidarity during Banned Books Week, the annual campaign highlighting efforts to remove or restrict books from libraries and schools. The human rights group ties book censorship to broader attacks on free expression, urging readers to defend access to challenged titles. Publishers Weekly reported the appeal as the week's observances draw renewed attention to rising censorship cases.

Attention is turning to a 'Carrie' reading list noting that every library book the character picks up has been banned somewhere. The detail highlights how often challenged and banned books appear in the story, prompting discussion about censorship and the enduring relevance of Stephen King's novel.

The Washington Post is inviting readers to guess which books have been banned or challenged based solely on their plots. The quiz-style feature highlights how titles frequently removed from school and library shelves are often classics or young adult works, prompting debate over censorship and what content is deemed inappropriate for readers.