Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes, a novel focused on the aftermath of a school shooting, now leads PEN America’s list of the most frequently banned books in U.S. schools. PEN’s recent report on the 2023-2024 academic year highlights an unprecedented 10,000 cases of book removals across the country—a fourfold increase from 2021-2022.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is also prominent among the 4,200 titles removed from school libraries, especially in states like Florida and Iowa, which have implemented new restrictions. Atwood’s dystopian classic explores a world where women are forced into submission, while Gruen’s novel chronicles a young man’s journey with a Depression-era circus.
Kasey Meehan, director of PEN’s Freedom to Read program, emphasized the importance of students’ access to diverse literature, stating it fosters critical thinking, empathy, and personal growth. Picoult, reflecting on her book’s controversial reception, noted that its themes challenge readers’ perspectives, sparking the opposition that often drives bans.
Source: Swifteradio.com
