Stephen King Books Face Most Bans in U.S. Schools, PEN Reports

A new nationwide report reveals a sharp divide in school book bans. PEN America’s latest study shows Stephen King is now the most censored author. The data highlights a growing split between states actively restricting books and those protecting access.

The “Banned in the USA” report tracked over 6,800 book ban instances this school year. This number is down from last year but remains historically high. The findings point to a deeply fragmented educational landscape across the country.

Three States Drive Vast Majority of Book Removals

Florida, Texas, and Tennessee account for roughly 80% of all documented bans. These states have enacted laws calling for the removal of books deemed objectionable. According to Reuters, Florida alone restricted over 2,000 titles.

In contrast, states like Illinois and New Jersey have passed laws limiting bans. This has resulted in few to no book removals in those regions. The report frames this as a story of two separate Americas.

Stephen King’s works were targeted 206 times. Classics like ‘Carrie’ and ‘The Stand’ were among the 87 of his titles affected. Anthony Burgess’s ‘A Clockwork Orange’ was the single most banned book.

Preemptive Bans and Shifting Enforcement intensify the Trend

A key finding involves “preemptive” bans. Thousands of books were pulled in anticipation of community or legal pressure, not from direct complaints. This creates a chilling effect that goes beyond formal challenges.

The reasons cited for removal often involve LGBTQ+ themes and depictions of race. Passages with violence or sexual content are also frequently targeted. The report notes that enforcement is becoming more cautious and widespread.

Kasey Meehan, PEN’s Freedom to Read director, confirmed the trend. She stated some districts, fearing punishment, sweep so wide they end up removing Stephen King. This reflects a climate of caution rather than careful review.

The landscape for banned authors remains volatile as legislative battles continue. This ongoing conflict over educational content shows no signs of abating, fundamentally shaping what students can read.

Thought you’d like to know

Which author has the most banned books?

Stephen King is now the most banned author. PEN America documented 206 instances of his works being removed. Eighty-seven of his different titles were affected.

What are the main reasons books get banned?

Books are most often challenged for LGBTQ+ themes and depictions of race. Content involving violence or sexual passages is also frequently targeted. These categories account for the vast majority of removals.

Which states have the most book bans?

Florida, Texas, and Tennessee are responsible for most bans. These three states account for about 80% of all documented instances. Several other states have virtually no bans due to protective laws.

How does PEN America track book bans?

PEN America uses publicly reported data and school district websites. They count any book removed or restricted for any length of time. Their methodology differs from other organizations, leading to higher totals.

Is the number of book bans increasing?

The number of bans decreased this year to 6,800 from over 10,000. However, this figure is still far above historical levels from just a few years ago. The overall trend remains significantly elevated.