Fahrenheit 451 Version 2.0 - Book Bans Are on the Rise in America Since 2021

According to PEN America, nearly 23,000 book-ban cases have been documented in public schools across the U.S. since 2021.

What’s worse, not all bans or removals are publicly reported — many happen quietly at the school or district level. Reported cases are likely only a fraction of actual bans.

Bans are primarily in these areas:

1. Graphic novels / illustrated books / comics — especially those dealing with sexuality, identity, LGBTQ+ themes, etc.

2. Memoirs / autobiographical works (especially by or about marginalized people) — e.g. books about personal experiences with race, sexuality, identity, coming-of-age, trauma.

3. Social-issue fiction or nonfiction — works dealing with race, racism, gender, sexuality, mental health, violence, social justice, identity, etc.

I wouldn’t have wanted my children focusing their reading on these, either, but it’s better for us to make that choice together instead of banning books.

When it comes to LGBT books, especially, I always assume those are the only outlets for a teenager looking for support. Take those away, and they will resort to drugs, alcohol, self harm, etc.

For context, the most infamous Nazi book burning was on May 10, 1933. Nazi student groups held mass burnings of books they labeled “un-German,” including works by Jewish authors, political opponents, and others they viewed as ideological enemies.