Jodi Picoult's 'Nineteen Minutes' Leads 2023-24 Banned Books List

PEN America reports a surge in book bans, with Picoult's novel topping the list for its depiction of sensitive themes.

PEN America documented over 10,000 book ban instances during the 2023-24 academic year, a significant increase from previous years.
Jodi Picoult's 'Nineteen Minutes,' dealing with a school shooting, is the most banned book, primarily due to a controversial depiction of date rape.
The majority of book bans occurred in Iowa and Florida, where recent legislation has tightened restrictions on school libraries.
Other frequently banned books include works by John Green, Alice Walker, Margaret Atwood, and Toni Morrison, often for themes related to sex, race, or gender identity.
Picoult and PEN America emphasize the importance of defending the freedom to read and its role in fostering critical thinking and empathy among students.