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Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week 2026

Banned Books Week is Oct. 4-10, 2026.

A colorful assortment of books laid out, with visible titles including A Court of Mist and Fury, A Clockwork Orange, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and Beastless among others.

Save the date: Banned Books Week is scheduled for Oct. 4-10, 2026. PEN America is part of the Banned Books Week Coalition shining a spotlight on the freedom to read each year. We invite readers, authors, educators, librarians, and everyone who opposes censorship to get involved during Banned Books Week 2026. Learn more about PEN America’s groundbreaking research and how you can take action!

What you need to know:

PEN America recorded 6,870 instances of book bans in the 2024-2025 school year.

Book bans were recorded in 23 states and 87 public school districts, with Florida and Texas leading.

Those book bans affected the works of 2,308 authors, 243 illustrators, and 38 translators.

Our Latest Findings

The Normalization of Book Banning

In 2025, book censorship in the United States is rampant and common. Never before in the life of any living American have so many books been systematically removed from school libraries across the country. For many students, families, educators, librarians, and school districts, book banning is a new normal.

Read the latest findings

2026 Events

Stay tuned and join us at a Banned Books Week event near you!

Take Action

Write to Your Elected Officials

Let your state and federal elected officials know you oppose censorship and support public schools and libraries, diverse books, and the value they bring to your communities.

Contact your state representatives Contact your Congressional representatives

A person wearing a mustard yellow sweater and bracelets is typing on a laptop at a wooden desk, perhaps drafting a Book Ban Open Letter. Only their arms and hands are visible. A closed book is partially seen nearby.

A vertical stack of books with visible titles, including Water for Elephants, The Handmaids Tale, and The Kite Runner, showcases thought-provoking stories often found on the banned books list 2024, alongside Crank and Thirteen Reasons Why.

Read a Banned Book

The most banned books of the 2024-25 school year include A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, Sold, by Patricia McCormick, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and A Court of Mist and Fury, by Sarah J. Maas.

See the full list

Read a Banned Picture Book

Books for young adults and adults aren’t the only targets. The most frequently banned picture books include gay or transgender characters or naked butts — human or otherwise.

Banned picture books

A collage of childrens book covers featuring diverse themes and characters. Titles include The Family Book, Prince & Knight, A is for Activist, Julian is a Mermaid, and more. Illustrations depict various colorful and engaging designs.

A collage of book covers surrounds a central message that reads, “Standing together for the freedom to read,” with “freedom to read” highlighted in bold red text and the call, “Don't Censor America,” echoing around the center.

Stand Together for the Freedom to Read

Join PEN America and dozens of literacy and advocacy organizations in our pledge to fight censorship and book banning efforts around the country.

Take the pledge

Help PEN America Fight Book Bans

PEN America is the leading organization fighting book bans, protecting the freedom to read, and ensuring that people everywhere have the freedom to create literature, convey information and ideas, and express their views. Please join us today.

Get periodic news about our advocacy, interviews with featured authors, and upcoming events.