Advocacy Update: May 13, 2026

New Book Ban Data Released

American Booksellers for Free Expression is deeply concerned by the findings of PEN America’s new report, which shows a brazen increase in ideological book bans in 2025. Books featuring diverse voices were silenced more than ever, particularly people or characters of color and/or of LGBTQIA2S+ experience. An additional concerning trend emerged this year: an increase in non-fiction book bans. Censorship of history has no place in a free society and should be concerning to everyone, regardless of politics. 

Here are some of the top-line data:

• 29% of banned titles were non-fiction. These banned titles predominantly focus on social activism.
• 44% of banned titles feature people or characters of color, the highest ever proportion.
• 39% of banned titles featured LGBTQIA2S+ people or characters, a 14% increase from last year’s report. This includes 19% of banned titles featuring trans, intersex, or gender non-conforming people or characters, up from 7% last year.
• 10% of banned titles feature neurodivergent and disabled people or characters.

When you’ve read the full report, check to make sure you’ve written to your US House Representative about HR 7661, which could cause bans like this to appear in every school district in the country.