Book bans in Florida schools have continued to rise, with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) reporting the removal of approximately 700 books during the 2023-2024 school year. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, which saw about 400 books removed.
Breakdown of Book Bans by County
The FLDOE report provides a detailed look at the banned books by county and the grade levels affected. In Indian River County, for example, John Green’s Paper Towns was banned for grades 6-12. Similarly, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky was banned in five counties across the state.
Not all counties removed books, however. Miami-Dade, Pasco, and Sarasota counties did not report any book bans.
Other widely recognized titles removed in at least one county include:
- 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- The Duff by Kody Keplinger
- All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Carrie by Stephen King
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Alachua County, which did not ban any books in 2022-2023, removed 10 books for grades 9-12 in 2023-2024.
Legal Challenges Over Book Bans
In Nassau County, book bans led to a legal battle settled on September 11, 2024. The controversy began on November 9, 2023, when the Nassau County School Board removed 36 books without warning. This prompted a lawsuit from parents, some authors, and the New York law firm Selendy Gay.
The settlement resulted in:
- 23 books reinstated without restrictions.
- 13 books reinstated with grade level or age restrictions.
DeSantis and FLDOE Claim “Book Ban” Narrative Is False
Despite the rising number of book removals and ongoing disputes, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the FLDOE maintain that claims of book bans in the state are a “false narrative.”
On February 15, 2024, while the Nassau County lawsuit was still active, DeSantis stated on his official website that the notion of book bans was a hoax. He argued that Florida’s policies empower parents to object to inappropriate materials in classrooms and libraries, asserting that critics are exploiting the process for political purposes.
Legislative Context
Since 2022, DeSantis has signed three bills regulating school library materials into law, which critics say have contributed to the rise in book removals. However, DeSantis argues that the regulations are meant to give parents more control over their children’s education, not to restrict access to literature.
Growing Divide
The increase in book bans and ongoing legal and political debates highlight the growing divide over the role of parental oversight in school libraries and the broader implications for educational freedom in Florida schools.
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