Banned US Nonfiction Books Doubled in 2024-2025 School Year

A new report from PEN America highlights a dramatic rise in the number of nonfiction books banned in U.S. schools, with the 2024-2025 academic year seeing this figure double. Out of 3,743 titles removed from libraries and classrooms between July and June, over 1,100, or 29%, were nonfiction, which is a notable jump from the previous year. Many of these banned nonfiction titles focus on activism and social movements, including works like Challenges for LGBTQ+ Teens by Martha Lundin and Night by Elie Wiesel. Sex education books, such as You Know, Sex by Cory Silverberg, also faced increased bans. Marginalized groups are hit hardest, with 39% of banned books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and 44% featuring people of color. Fiction titles like Fahrenheit 451 and The Hunger Games are also under threat. Since 2021, PEN America has tracked over 23,000 instances of book bans. The American Library Association reported a record number of book bans in 2025, with 40% of challenged titles representing LGBTQ+ individuals or people of color. Additionally, a 2025 report showed that a third of 12th-graders are struggling with basic reading skills, marking the lowest scores in three decades.