Book Ban Resources
Join the fight against book bans with our action toolkit.
PEN America has documented more than 10,000 instances of book bans since the fall of 2021. Whether you’re a teacher, a librarian, a parent, a student, an author or a concerned citizen, these resources will help you join in the fight against censorship.
Tip Sheets
Learn more about how to fight back against book restrictions.
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5 Ways to Fight Book Bans
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Book Challenges In Your Library: Tips for librarians facing harassment and threats
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So, Your Book Has Been Challenged: A Tip Sheet for Authors
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What to Say About Book Bans at School Board and Library Meetings
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How to Fight Book Bans: A Tip Sheet for Students
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How to Fight Book Bans: Proactive Tips for Educators
Learn More
Total Instances of Book Bans by State, July 2021 – June 2023
What You Need to Know
PEN America recorded nearly 10,000 instances of book bans from July 2021 to the end of the 2023 school year.
37% of the banned books had characters of color or themes of race and racism. 36% had LGBTQ+ characters or themes.
Florida and Texas lead the country in number of bans, but the crisis has spread to 41 states and 247 public school districts.
