Book banning has been an ongoing issue in the United States for a number of years. About 2,532 books banned during the 2021-2022 school year. That number increased by 33% in the 2022-2023 school year with 3,362 books banned according to PENAmerica. PENAmerica is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting people’s right to free speech and self-expression. For the past two years, the organization has dedicated its time and resources to researching the number of book bannings that have taken place in the United States.
PENAmerica’s Latest Report
Recently in the 2023-2024 school year over 4,300 books were banned, a 70% increase from the 2022-2023 school year, mostly surrounding the context of sexual violence and rape, LGTBQ+, as well as books that explore the themes of race and racism according to PENAmerica’s recently released report. This school year the top four states with the most book bannings include Florida (3,135 books banned), Wisconsin (481 books banned), Iowa (142 books banned), and Texas (141 books banned).
Below is a list of the top ten books according to the American Library Association.
- Gender Queer a Memoir by Maia Kobabe
- All Boys aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
- This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
- The Perks of Being a Wallfby Stephen Chbosky
- Flamer by Mike Curato
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
- Let’s Talk About It: A Girl’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being Human by Erike Noen and Matthew Nolan
What is the Impact of Book Banning?
According to Sigy George, a librarian, and a researcher, states that literature has been a powerful teaching tool and offers students a chance to learn about complex themes, different perspectives, and ideas. When certain books are banned, this leads to a diminished educational quality, George argues. Students can lose critical thinking skills and analytical skills when engaging in complex issues. In addition, banning books can affect society. Democracy in societies only works when there is a flow of unfiltered information and an exchange of ideas. Book banning limits access to necessary information people need when making informed decisions, according to George.