Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis

PEN America has been documenting book banning in the United States since 2021 and recently recorded a staggering number – 4,349 instances of book bans took place between July and December 2023, a leap from 1,841 recorded in the preceding semester. This new report, however, goes beyond the numbers. Providing data, the authors also focus on what often stays hidden behind it: the stories in the books under attack and of librarians, teachers, students, and writers affected. The most targeted narratives are those on sexual violence, LGBTQ+ themes (transgender identities in particular), and race and racism. But despite the gravity of the situation, there is hope. The report shows resistance to book banning is growing nationwide, and students are at the forefront.