Additional Coverage:
Florida Schools Remove Books from Shelves
Over 700 books have been removed from Florida school libraries for the upcoming school year. This is a significant increase from the 400 books removed in the previous year.
State Denies Book Bans
The Florida Department of Education claims the removals are not book bans but rather responses to complaints from parents and students. However, critics say the practice amounts to censorship.
Banned Books Include Classics
The list of removed books includes classic literature and books used in college-level coursework, such as “Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut and “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.
Lawsuits Filed
Publishers, authors, and residents have filed lawsuits alleging First Amendment violations. They claim a “regime of strict censorship” exists in Florida schools.
National Trend
Florida is not alone in its book removal efforts. PEN America reports that over 10,000 books have been banned in schools across the U.S. for the 2023-24 academic year.
Efforts Target Public Libraries
Book ban advocates have also targeted public libraries, using municipal governments and statehouses to limit access to certain materials. PEN America believes these efforts are an attempt to control what Americans can read.