DEVELOPING: Books Systematically Removed from School Libraries, PEN America Warns of Alarming Trend

BREAKING NEWS PEN America Warns of Alarming Trend: Books Systematically Removed from School Libraries October 1, 2025 - Reports are emerging that thousands of books have been systematically removed from school libraries across the United States. According to PEN America, a non-profit organization dedicated to free expression, 6,870 book bans were imposed in public schools during the 2024-2025 academic year. The number of book bans has skyrocketed in recent years, with an average of nearly 3,000 incidents per year from 2021-2023. This alarming trend has sparked concerns about censorship and the erosion of free expression in American education. PEN America's list of most-banned books includes titles such as "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie, and "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. These books have been challenged or banned due to their content, with some parents and community members objecting to themes, language, or diversity. The removal of these books from school libraries has immediate consequences for students, who may be denied access to diverse perspectives and ideas. This trend also raises concerns about the impact on education, free expression, and the values of American society. This is a developing story, with PEN America expected to release more information about the book bans in the coming days. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*