PEN America Reports Nearly 12,000 Book Bans in US Public Schools in One Year
A PEN America report reveals nearly 12,000 book bans in US public schools during the 2025-2026 year, the highest since tracking began. The bans affected over 7,300 titles and 4,000 authors, including works by Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, and Charlotte Bronte. Texas and Florida led in removals, linked to restrictive state laws and activism. The report notes increased use of AI tools in book selection and highlights that books on race, sexuality, and gender identity face frequent challenges, raising concerns about access to diverse perspectives.
First-hand measurement across 3 sources
We measured how 3 outlets covered this story. No outlet gave this story a measurable political slant — there is no left–right reading to report. Overall sentiment is negative (36/100). Lens Score 47/100.
Outlets measured: news18, indianexpress, economictimes. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (28–48/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
economictimes broke this story on 5 Oct, 01:25 pm. Other outlets followed.