U.S. School Book Bans Surge During 2025-2026 Academic Year
Public schools across the country recorded nearly 12,000 instances of book bans between July 2025 and June 2026.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Public schools in the United States recorded 11,982 instances of book bans during the 2025-26 academic year. This figure represents a significant increase from the 6,870 instances documented in the 2024-25 school year.
Why it matters
The rise in restricted titles follows a September 2025 Texas law that transferred authority over library collections to district boards of education. These boards are increasingly removing books due to concerns over sexual depictions, violence, or subject matter involving LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color.
During the 2025-26 period, Texas schools reported 8,193 instances of book bans, while Florida recorded 3,212. Across the country, a total of 7,370 unique titles were targeted, including popular manga series such as Attack on Titan and Fire Force.
The players
PEN America
This nonprofit organization works to protect free expression and monitors censorship trends in education across the United States.
The details
Conservative groups have pressured school districts to restrict access to materials, with some districts even utilizing artificial intelligence to identify books for potential removal. These bans often target graphic novels and other literature perceived as inappropriate for students.
Timeline
2021-2022 academic year: PEN America began tracking school book ban instances.
July 2025 - June 2026: Schools recorded 11,982 instances of book bans.
September 2025: A Texas law transferred library collection decisions to district boards.
Culture Shift
The nationwide increase in book restrictions reflects a broader societal shift regarding parental control over public education curricula. This trend marks a departure from traditional library management, following the precedents set by the September 2025 Texas school library collection law.
Students and families may notice reduced availability of specific titles in their local school libraries as districts adopt more restrictive collection policies. These changes to library access require parents to engage more closely with their district board of education.
The takeaway
The trend toward increased book removal highlights the shifting influence of local school boards on student reading materials. Parents should verify their local district library policies to understand which titles remain accessible to students.
Further reading
For additional context on current curriculum trends, visit the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 毎日新聞.
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