According to PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans, the 2025-2026 school year had the biggest number of unique titles banned in public schools. YA titles accounted for 58% of book bans, adult titles 26%, and middle grade 10%. PEN America reports that “The vast majority of recorded book bans this school year came from just two states: Texas and Florida. Both states have become blueprints for educational censorship, where special interest groups, state laws, and politicians have converged to pressure school districts to restrict and remove access to books.”
It’s frightening and overwhelming to read about the ongoing assault on the freedom to read, but there are things you can do. Here are a few suggestions:
- Read the PEN America report, which was written by the Freedom to Read Program experts Philomena Polefrone, PhD, senior manager and Kasey Meehan, director.
- Read PEN America’s report on the attacks on the freedom to read hitting our local public libraries. Both of these pieces are alarming, but important to understand.
- PEN America has a TON of ways to take action, from writing letters to politicians to reporting on books bans in your community.
- You can also buy yourself or someone else a gift membership to support the work of PEN America.
- You can join Authors Against Book Bans.
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And finally, you can further educate yourself about these issues and vote!
Image via PEN America
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Andrea Pyros is the author of the two middle-grade novels, PINK HAIR AND OTHER TERRIBLE IDEAS and MY YEAR OF EPIC ROCK. Visit http://andreapyros.com to find out more and https://bsky.app/profile/andreapyros.bsky.social to talk middle-grade.
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