The 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair buzzed with a singular, pressing concern: the alarming surge in attempts to ban books from US schools and public libraries. These targeted removals, often spearheaded by conservative groups, frequently involve titles that explore LGBTQ+ themes and racial issues. This aggressive pushback has ignited a fierce defense from publishers, authors, and literary advocates, all standing firm in their commitment to intellectual freedom.
This trend is not just worrying; it’s a dramatic escalation. In 2020, the American Library Association (ALA) noted fewer than 300 formal challenges to books. Yet, by 2023, that figure had skyrocketed to over 9,000. This massive increase highlights an intensifying, organized effort to dictate what students and the general public are allowed to read.
Jon Yaged, CEO of Macmillan Publishers, a company frequently targeted by these bans, characterized the movement as an ‘ideological mission from people on the right,’ viewing it as a modern expression of cultural animosity.
Echoing these sentiments, PEN International, a prominent global NGO dedicated to literary freedom, emphasized that this surge in censorship isn’t confined to the US. They pointed to a worldwide ‘dramatic increase in book bans,’ from Afghanistan to Russia, demonstrating that the fight for free expression is a global challenge.
The Conservative Push Behind Book Bans
For a long time, conservative groups in the US have been trying to counteract what they see as a progressive agenda in education. These efforts have found significant backing from political figures, including former President Donald Trump’s administration. The ALA’s data from 2024 reveals that the primary reasons for challenging books revolve around alleged obscenity for minors, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters or themes, and discussions on sensitive subjects like race.
Among the books most frequently targeted are All Boys Aren’t Blue, a powerful collection of essays about growing up as a gay Black man; Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, which delves into themes of sexual abuse and race; and The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a coming-of-age narrative that addresses drug use and sexuality.
This drive to limit access to literature is evolving beyond local protests and is increasingly manifesting as legislative action. Several state legislatures have enacted laws specifically restricting access to certain titles. Furthermore, elected officials have publicized lists of books deemed ‘explicit,’ and many school districts have even created ‘do not buy’ lists, effectively blacklisting certain works.
Florida: A Hotbed for Book Restrictions
Last year, Florida led the nation in restricted school books, according to PEN. The educational policies implemented by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, which include strict limitations on classroom discussions regarding sexuality and gender identity, have fostered an environment highly conducive to book bans.
Conservative groups like Moms for Liberty continue to defend these actions, asserting that their goal is to shield children from age-inappropriate material, rather than to engage in censorship.
The Growing Resistance from Publishers and Communities
In response, major publishing houses like Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and HarperCollins are actively fighting these restrictions through legal avenues and public awareness campaigns. It’s not just corporations; authors, parents, and students in numerous districts have also organized to resist these removal attempts, proving that the opposition is widespread and deeply rooted in communities.
Macmillan’s CEO, Jon Yaged, emphasized that efforts to ban books are hardly a new phenomenon. ‘As long as there have been books,’ he stated, ‘there have been people trying to ban books. And they haven’t won as long as we keep up the fight.’
A Global Concern
Authors worldwide are witnessing the broader cultural ramifications. Lawrence Schimel, whose books featuring children with same-sex parents have been challenged in countries like Russia and Hungary, believes these restrictions are part of an alarming global trend. He passionately argues that access to diverse literature is crucial for fostering acceptance and understanding among young readers.
The Deep Impact on Education and Society
This wave of book challenges sweeping across the United States is far more than a simple debate about literary content. It represents a fundamental conflict between rigid ideological priorities and the core principles of a robust education system. Publishers and authors see open access to books as essential for intellectual development and a vital defense against political influences that aim to constrict the boundaries of knowledge.
As underscored at the Frankfurt Book Fair, this battle is far from over. For those who champion literary freedom, the struggle for books is, at its heart, a struggle for the very ideas that will shape future generations. As Jon Yaged aptly put it, ‘They haven’t won as long as we keep up the fight.’