Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news According to a PEN report, Stephen King tops the list of banned authors in U.S. schools.
  • Local news

According to a PEN report, Stephen King tops the list of banned authors in U.S. schools.

    Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, PEN report says
    Up next
    Daughter who witnessed parents' murder attends killer's execution
    Daughter Present at Execution of Her Parents’ Murderer
    Published on 01 October 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • Anthony Burgess,
    • author,
    • banned,
    • Education,
    • Entertainment,
    • Jennifer Niven,
    • Jodi Picoult,
    • judy blume,
    • Kasey Meehan,
    • king,
    • Lifestyle,
    • Most,
    • Patricia McCormick,
    • Pen,
    • Report,
    • says,
    • schools,
    • Stephen,
    • Stephen King,
    • The,
    • U.S. news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    NEW YORK – According to a new report on book bans in U.S. schools, Stephen King is the top author facing censorship, with states split between those enforcing bans and those trying to minimize or eradicate them.

    PEN America’s “Banned in the USA,” published Wednesday, records over 6,800 instances of books being either temporarily or permanently pulled for the 2024-2025 school year. Although this number has decreased from over 10,000 in 2023-24, it remains significantly higher than a few years ago when PEN didn’t see the need for such a report.

    Approximately 80% of these bans stem from just three states — Florida, Texas, and Tennessee — which have implemented or are attempting to implement laws for the removal of books labeled as objectionable. Conversely, PEN observed little to no book removals in other states like Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey, where laws restrict the power of schools and public libraries to ban books.

    “It is increasingly a story of two countries,” remarks Kasey Meehan, director of PEN’s Freedom to Read program and co-author of the report. “And it’s not solely about red and blue states. In Florida, not all school districts adhered to the banning calls. There’s variation even within counties.”

    PEN noted that King’s works were censored 206 times, with titles like “Carrie” and “The Stand” among the 87 affected. The most banned book was Anthony Burgess’ dystopian classic “A Clockwork Orange” from the 1960s, with 23 recorded removals. Other heavily restricted authors included Patricia McCormick’s “Sold,” Judy Blume’s “Forever,” Jennifer Niven’s “Breathless,” and several works by Sarah J. Maas and Jodi Picoult.

    Common reasons for book removals include LGBTQ+ themes, race depictions, and violent or sexually violent content. A trend noted by PEN is that many books are removed preemptively due to anticipated community, political, or legal pressures rather than any direct threat.

    “This functions as a form of ‘obeying advance,’” the report reads, “rooted in fear or simply a desire to avoid topics that might be deemed controversial.”

    The PEN report comes amid ongoing censorship efforts not just from states and conservative activists, but from the federal government. The Department of Education ended an initiative by the Biden administration to investigate the legality of bans and has called the whole issue a “hoax.” PEN’s numbers include the Department of Defense’s removal of hundreds of books from K-12 school libraries for military families as part of an overall campaign against DEI initiatives and “un-American” thinking.

    In Florida, where more than 2,000 books were banned or restricted, a handful of counties were responsible for many of the King removals: Dozens were pulled last year as a part of a review for whether they were in compliance with state laws.

    “His books are often removed from shelves when ‘adult’ titles or books with ‘sex content’ are targeted for removal — these prohibitions overwhelmingly ban LGBTQ+ content and books on race, racism, and people of color — but also affect titles like Stephen King’s books,” Meehan says. “Some districts — in being overly cautious or fearful of punishment — will sweep so wide they end up removing Stephen King from access, too.”

    PEN’s methodology differs from that of the American Library Association, which also issues annual reports on bans and challenges. PEN’s numbers are much higher in part because the free expression organization counts any books removed or restricted for any length of time, while the ALA only counts permanent removals or restrictions.

    Both organizations have acknowledged that because they largely rely on media reports and information they receive directly their numbers are far from comprehensive. Stephana Ferrell, director of Research & Insight at Florida Freedom to Read Project, wrote in an email this week that PEN left out hundreds of recent bans in the state that have not yet been widely publicized.

    The PEN report includes no banning data from Ohio, Oklahoma, Arkansas and other “red” states because researchers could not find adequate documentation. Meehan adds that PEN also doesn’t know the full impact of statewide laws.

    “It’s become harder and harder to quantify the scope of the book banning crisis,” Meehan says. “In a state where a banning law is passed, we don’t have the data to know whether every school in that state had the books affected. Our data is snapshot. It’s what we were able to collect through what’s publicly reported or on websites or what journalists have uncovered.”

    ___

    AP writer Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida, contributed to this report.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    NICU patients at Advocate Children’s Hospital celebrate their first Halloween
    • Local news

    Tiny Patients at Advocate Children’s Hospital Experience Their First Halloween Celebration

    CHICAGO (WGN) This October, even the smallest patients at Advocate Children’s Hospital…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025

    Suspect in Waffle House Shooting Surrenders to JCPD: Latest Updates on the Case

    JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — On Tuesday, the Johnson City Police Department…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025

    Study Reveals Tennessee’s High Exposure to Tariff Impacts

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — According to a recent analysis by the Pew…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Nursing home nightmare: Former and current employees call local facility a 'crap show'
    • Local news

    Exposing the Chaos: Insider Revelations Unveil the Shocking Reality of Local Nursing Home

    TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. — A group of both former and current staff…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Escaped inmate captured after jumping out of jail transport van
    • Local news

    Escaped Inmate Recaptured After Daring Leap from Jail Transport Van

    A man described as a serious violent felon is once again in…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Pilots mistakenly thought someone was trying to breach cockpit during American Airlines flight
    • Local news

    Chaos in the Skies: American Airlines Pilots Misinterpret Passenger Activity as Security Threat

    (The Hill) — A flight bound for Los Angeles was forced to…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    5 vehicles involved in rollover crash into Holly Hill home
    • Local news

    Five Vehicles Involved in Rollover Collision, Crashing Into Holly Hill Residence

    HOLLY HILL, Fla. – Authorities in Holly Hill are currently examining a…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Last muggy day, lower humidity returns Wednesday
    • Local news

    Wave Goodbye to Muggy Days: Refreshing Low Humidity Arrives This Wednesday!

    TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Prepare for another day of warmth and humidity…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Mattoon movie theater will reopen ahead of the new year
    • Local news

    Mattoon Movie Theater Revival: Grand Reopening Set for December 2023

    MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — A fresh chapter is set to begin for…
    • Internewscast
    • October 21, 2025
    Federal prosecutors charge man accused of threatening to shoot up Atlanta airport
    • Local news

    Atlanta Airport Threat: Federal Prosecutors Take Action Against Suspect in Chilling Shooting Plot

    ATLANTA – On Tuesday, federal prosecutors filed charges against a Georgia man,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Arizona sues US House over delay in Grijalva swearing-in
    • Local news

    Arizona Takes Legal Action Against US House: Grijalva’s Swearing-In Delayed

    On Tuesday, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, initiated legal action…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    RCSO deputy fired and arrested for street gang activity, other felony charges
    • Local news

    RCSO Revamps Deputy Hiring Process After Series of Arrests: What You Need to Know for 2025

    AUGUSTA, Ga. ()- Concerns have been raised regarding the recruitment process for…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Melania Trump faces lawsuit from Trump biographer
    • News

    Melania Trump Sued by Noted Trump Biographer: Details Inside

    Veteran author Michael Wolff has filed a lawsuit against Melania Trump, alleging…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Fernandina Beach rejects ban on downtown paid parking
    • US

    Fernandina Beach Decides Against Prohibiting Paid Parking Downtown

    As discussions continue around the paid parking plan, the commissioners have decided…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    'Dancing with the Stars' week 6: Popular couple sent home on 'Wicked Night,' celebrating music from movies
    • US

    Wicked Night’ Shocker: Fan-Favorite Couple Eliminated on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Movie Music Week

    LOS ANGELES — On “Dancing with the Stars,” the night was enchanted…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Revealed: The bizarre new dinner party etiquette rule for 2025 - as almost half of people say the gatherings are 'ruined' completely
    • Health

    Unveiled: The Unconventional Dinner Party Etiquette Rule for 2025 – Nearly Half Say Gatherings Are ‘Completely Ruined

    In an unusual twist to social norms, it is now suggested that…
    • Internewscast
    • October 22, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.