Record 12,000 School Book Bans Driven by AI and State Laws in 2025-26

Key points

• PEN America’s annual report, 'Banned in the USA,' identifies 11,982 instances of book bans in public schools during the 2025-26 school year, the highest total since tracking began in 2021.
• The bans affected 7,370 unique titles, with over 4,500 appearing on the list for the first time, including classics like 'Jane Eyre' and manga series such as 'Tokyo Ghoul.'
• Texas and Florida accounted for the vast majority of bans, with Texas alone recording over 8,100 instances, driven by the 2025 law SB 13 and political pressure from state officials.
• School administrators increasingly rely on artificial intelligence to determine which books to remove, often citing other districts' bans rather than legal standards, according to PEN America.
• Stephen King was the most banned author for the second consecutive year, while Patricia McCormick’s novel 'Sold' was the most banned individual title, with 25 removals.

Background

This surge follows a trend of rising censorship in U.S. schools and libraries, with PEN America and the American Library Association reporting historic increases in bans since the early 2020s. Recent reports have highlighted growing political pressure on public libraries and school districts, particularly in states like Florida and Texas, where conservative activists and lawmakers have intensified efforts to restrict access to books dealing with race, sexuality, and gender identity.

How outlets are covering it

While all sources agree on the record-breaking number of bans, they emphasize different drivers. PEN America and The Guardian highlight the role of AI tools and state laws like Texas’s SB 13 in accelerating removals, noting that AI often recommends bans based on other districts' actions rather than content analysis. USA Today focuses on the 'crisis point' described by PEN America’s director, Kasey Meehan, and the impact of federal developments, including the Department of Education’s dismissal of book ban complaints. NBC News notes the methodology differences between PEN America and the American Library Association, with PEN counting temporary removals while the ALA counts only permanent bans, resulting in different totals for the same period.

Why it matters

The record number of bans signals a deepening conflict over educational content and free expression in the U.S., with potential long-term effects on student access to diverse literature and the normalization of censorship in schools. The reliance on AI for decision-making raises concerns about the accuracy and fairness of these removals, while the political pressure from state officials may lead to further overcompliance by school districts.

What to watch

PEN America and other advocacy groups will likely continue to monitor and challenge book bans, particularly in Texas and Florida, where new laws and political campaigns are driving removals. School districts may face increased scrutiny over their use of AI tools for book reviews, and federal legislation, such as the bill introduced by Rep. Mary Miller, could further impact funding for books deemed 'sexually oriented' for children.