NEW YORK — Jodi Picoult reflects on the time when her book “Nineteen Minutes” was celebrated as a significant contribution to literature. This 2007 novel, which tackles the sensitive topic of a school shooting, has now emerged as one of the top books flagged for bans in schools, as reported by PEN America.

In a recent phone conversation, Picoult recalled how her book was once not only recommended for young readers but was also included in school curricula before facing the current bans.

On Friday, PEN released an in-depth report that builds upon statistics unveiled earlier in September during Banned Books Week, an event aimed at raising awareness about literary censorship. PEN has gathered data showcasing over 10,000 instances of books either temporarily or permanently removed from school settings throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. This figure represents a drastic increase, approximately quadrupling the numbers from the 2021-2022 academic year. The bans specifically impacted around 4,200 titles, a significant rise from roughly 1,600 just two years prior.

A substantial portion of these bans—over 80%—originated from states such as Iowa and Florida, which have enacted laws to limit schoolbook access. According to PEN, about 4,500 books were taken out of circulation in Florida, alongside more than 3,600 in Iowa.

Kasey Meehan, director of PEN’s Freedom to Read program, commented on the implications of these restrictions, emphasizing that what students read shapes their critical thinking, empathy, personal well-being, and overall success in life. “The protection of the fundamental values of public education and the freedom to read, learn, and think is increasingly vital,” Meehan stated.

Alongside “Nineteen Minutes,” other frequently banned titles encompass John Green’s “Looking for Alaska,” Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple,” Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” and numerous works by popular author Sarah J. Maas. Many of these books address themes related to sex, race, or gender identity.

Picoult emphasized that the objections raised against her novel often focus on a specific passage concerning date rape, stating, “There is nothing gratuitous in it. It’s not porn. I believe some people are uncomfortable because it challenges them to view the world differently. This discomfort is at the root of many of these bans.”