Florida Schools Remove Over 700 Books Amid Controversy

A new state law allows parents and residents to challenge school library content, leading to a sharp increase in book removals.

The Florida Department of Education reported more than 700 books were removed from school libraries for the 2023-2024 year, a significant rise from the previous year.
Books by authors such as Toni Morrison, Kurt Vonnegut, and Stephen King were among those pulled, often due to content deemed inappropriate or sexually explicit.
The removals were carried out under House Bill 1069, which facilitates parental and resident challenges to school library books.
Critics, including the Florida Freedom to Read Project, argue these actions amount to censorship and limit students' access to diverse literature.
Florida and Iowa lead the nation in book bans, with over 4,500 instances reported in Florida alone, raising concerns about the impact on educational freedom.