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October 5, 2026
PEN America Reports Record High of Nearly 12,000 School Book Bans
- PEN America documented 11,982 book bans in the past year, the highest total since tracking began.
- Stephen King's works were the most frequently banned, with 312 removals.
- Books addressing themes of race, sexuality, and gender identity were commonly challenged.
- The report coincides with 'Banned Books Week', emphasizing the impact of censorship on student access to diverse literature.
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2 Sources
- Nearly 12,000 bans in public schools: PEN America study reveals record highOct 5, 2026 at 12:30 PM · AP
- School book bans hit record high with nearly 12,000 removals, study findsOct 5, 2026 at 7:28 PM · The Hill