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Book Bans & Censorship

Book bans in schools, libraries and prisons, the court fights and legislation behind them, and the writers and librarians pushing back against them.

58 stories updated August 28, 2026

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The Most Banned Books in American Schools and Libraries Explore the most banned books in America, uncovering the reasons for their censorship in schools and libraries. Read the guide →

Settlement Reached in Arkansas Librarian’s Book Ban Dispute

Discover how Patty Hector's fight against book bans led to a $275,000 settlement after her dismissal from the Saline County Library.

Nadia Iqbal Aug 28, 2026 3 min read

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Settlement Reached in Arkansas Librarian’s Book Ban Dispute

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Ukraine’s Publishers Urge Government Support Amid Destruction

Author Rachel Reid Donates $300,000 to Save N.S. Libraries

Authors Call for Tax Relief for UK Independent Bookshops

Rachel Reid Donates $300,000 to Save Nova Scotia Libraries

Korean Adoptee Memoirs Spark U.S. Library Book Ban Debate

Chris Tang on Absence of Banned Books List Amid Raids

Estimated Costs of UCP Book Ban May Reach $100,000 in 2027

Formerly Jailed Writers Advocate for Fellow Imprisoned Authors

New York Policy Targets Book Bans and AI in Libraries

PEN America Unveils 2026 Banned Books List

Inside the Battle Over Texas’ Expanding Book Bans

Arkansas Considers Strict Prison Book Ban Amid Outcry

‘Flamer’ Book Ban Heads to Court in Major Legal Fight

Book Bans Force Diversity Baseline Survey Postponement

Federal Bill Seeks Nationwide School Book Ban

Texas Prisons to Ban Hardback Books Starting April 1

Texas Cy-Fair ISD Reverses Controversial Textbook Ban

Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Sweeping Statewide Book Ban

Texas District Weighs Ban on ‘Cat Kid Comic Club’

New Hampshire Senate Advances Controversial Book Ban Bills

Junot Díaz Speaks Out on Mental Health and Book Bans

Secret Afghan Women’s Book Club Defies Taliban Ban

Utah Reaches 23rd Statewide School Book Ban Milestone

Students Fight Back as New Wave of School Book Bans Hits Classrooms

New Florida Bills Could Supercharge School Book Bans Yet Again

PEN America Warns Book Bans Are Costing Authors—and Communities

Arkansas Pauses Sweeping Prison Book Ban After Fierce Backlash

Oklahoma Teacher Loses License After Book-Ban Protest Ignites Fight

Eight States Move to Outlaw School Book Bans as Culture War Peaks

Iowa Asks Appeals Court to Bless Sweeping LGBTQ+ School Book Ban

Major Authors Sue Utah Over Expanding School Book Bans

Utah Bans ‘Wicked,’ ‘Perks,’ ‘Nineteen Minutes’ From Public Schools

NC County Fires Entire Library Board for Refusing Trans Book Ban

New Johnny Carson Book Reveals the ‘Tonight Show’ Guests He Secretly Banned

NH Republicans Fail to Revive Vetoed Book Ban Bill, But Promise a 2026 Rematch

Kansas District’s Trans Book Ban Sparks Fierce Showdown in Gardner-Edgerton

PEN America Names 50 Most Banned Books as U.S. Censorship Surges

Librarians Face Threats and Firings as LGBTQ Book Bans Escalate

Iowa’s School Book Ban Law Hits Appeals Crossroads as Injunction Holds

Kansas Board Member Breaks Rank as ‘Jesus Land’ Pulled from School Library

J.K. Rowling Backs Girlguiding Trans Ban, Igniting New Consent Row

PEN America Says Florida Book Ban Count Hides Massive Censorship

J.K. Rowling Backs Girlguiding Trans Ban, Citing ‘Girls’ Right to Say No’

PEN America Says Florida Book Ban Tally Hides Thousands of Removals

ACLU and GLAD Push Massachusetts Schools to Stand Firm Against Book Bans

Missouri Judge Strikes Down School Book Ban Law in Free Speech Win

Bay Area author says Yosemite is quietly banning his water book

Alabama Faces Legal Firestorm Over Trans Library Book Ban