RESOURCE

K-12

Facts & Fiction: Stories Stripped Away by Book Bans

Publication Year:  2026  

This report examines the content of the 3,743 titles removed from school libraries and classrooms during the last academic year. The report finds a significant increase in bans of nonfiction titles and examines the characteristics of frequently banned books, finding that many include characters, identities, and experiences that reflect racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ diversity.

By PEN America

Read the Report

More Resources

Explore more reports, projects, research and initiatives.

Discover more

Join our network.

Receive our newsletter, invitations to events and announcements.