The American Library Association reported a record number of book bans in 2023 in US schools and libraries, with 4,240 unique titles targeted for censorship, notably focusing on LGBTQ+ and race-related issues. This marked a 65% increase from the previous year and included commonly taught novels like Lord of the Flies and To Kill a Mockingbird. There were also 1,247 documented demands to ban various library materials. ALA President Emily Drabinski emphasized that book bans are an attack on freedom to read and noted the importance of diversity in promoting learning and empathy. The movement to ban books has grown in recent years, particularly in Republican-led states, with 17 states attempting to ban more than 100 books in 2023.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/mar/14/book-bans-us-schools-surge
