Banned Books Week 2024
Banned Books Week is Sept. 22-28, 2024.
Book bans are on the rise in classrooms and libraries across the country. PEN America champions the freedom to read. We invite readers, authors, educators, librarians, and everyone who opposes censorship to get involved during Banned Books Week 2024. Learn more about PEN America’s groundbreaking research, this year’s events, and how you can take action!
Our Latest Findings
New: Restrictions on Books Rise 2021-2024
Following trends from previous years in which books were targeted for including diverse perspectives, book bans from the 2023-2024 school year overwhelmingly featured stories with people or characters of color and/or LGBTQ+ people. We also observed how cases of book bans increasingly target stories by and about women and girls and/or that include depictions of rape or sexual abuse.
What You Need to Know
PEN America research found 10,000+ instances of book bans in the 2023-2024 school year—more than double the last school year.
This is nearly triple the number from the previous school year, and about 8,000 bans were recorded in Florida and Iowa alone.
In part due to the targeting of sexual content, the stark increase includes books featuring romance, books about women’s sexual experiences, and books about rape or sexual abuse.
Take Action
This election season, join writers, journalists, artists, and educators across America and pledge to stand up to book bans and educational censorship, fight disinformation, and defend journalists.
Join We Believe, Every Library, and a consortium of nonprofit organizations to let our state leaders know that we have had enough: we support public schools and libraries, diverse books, and the value they bring to our communities.
Learn More About Book Bans & Censorship
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5 Ways to Fight Book Bans
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What to Say About Book Bans at School Board and Library Meetings
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Book Bans
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Book Ban Resources
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Book Ban Reports
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.
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