US Schools See Surge in Nonfiction Book Bans
US public schools see rise in nonfiction book bans, targeting activist themes & diverse content. Legislative actions also impact educational funding.
Ayla Demirhan ·
A recent study indicates a significant increase in the banning of nonfiction titles from U. S.
public school libraries and classrooms. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 1,102 nonfiction books were removed, contributing to a total of 3,743 unique titles.
This trend suggests a shisources in censorship targets beyond previously emphasized categories.
The removed nonfiction works include educational materials, textbooks, histories, biographies, and memoirs. A notable 52% of these nonfiction titles contained activist themes, indicating a focus on content related to social change.
Content by or about BIPOC individuals appeared in 44% of all banned cases, marking the highest percentage reported in this category. LGBTQ+ titles constituted 39% of the banned list, an increase from 25% in the prior year.
Transgender or genderqueer content was present in 19% of removed books, and representations of neurodivergence or disability were central to 10% of targeted titles.
Legislative efforts are also underway that could impact educational content. Proposed House Resolution 2616, if enacted, would withhold Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds from schools deemed to teach or advance "gender ideology."