TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Prominent works such as “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, “Forever” by Judy Blume, and “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut have been removed from several school libraries in Florida, according to the recent compilation by the Florida Department of Education detailing titles that local school districts have restricted.
The empowerment of parents and residents to challenge books in school libraries has been bolstered by recent legislative changes, which also mandate school districts to provide an annual report to the state outlining any restricted literature. Florida has emerged as a frontrunner in the national trend of removing books from educational institutions, based on findings from organizations like the American Library Association and PEN America, an advocacy group.
Kasey Meehan from PEN America emphasized the impact of these restrictions, stating, “A restriction of access is a restriction on one’s freedom to read. Students lose the ability to access books that mirror their own lived experiences and to learn empathy through the diverse narratives of others.”
The compiled list for the 2023-2024 academic year features a range of influential authors, including Maya Angelou, Flannery O’Connor, and Richard Wright, alongside works that face censorship nationwide due to their LGBTQ+ themes or discussions of gender and sexuality. Titles like “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George Johnson and “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe have been labeled as “pornographic” by conservative advocates, leading to their removal.
Additionally, books addressing significant historical events, such as the Holocaust — including “Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation” and “Sophie’s Choice” — as well as a graphic novel adaptation of George Orwell’s “1984,” which addresses themes of censorship and surveillance, have similarly been restricted.
Stephana Farrell, co-founder of the Florida Freedom to Read Project, expressed concern over the extensive list of challenged books, highlighting the recurring pattern across notable authors like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker. “If you take the time to explore that list, it’s evident there’s a concerning trend,” she remarked.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Education insisted that there is no outright ban on books and defended the state’s focus on eliminating “sexually explicit materials” from educational settings. “Once again, far-left activists are promoting the idea of a book ban in Florida. The pertinent question is why they continue to advocate for exposing children to sexually explicit content,” the spokesperson stated.
The extent of book removals varies dramatically throughout the state, with some districts reporting no restrictions, while others have removed hundreds of titles. Farrell pointed out that the Department’s report may underestimate the total, as it excludes books that were taken off shelves after internal reviews, only counting those removed following public complaints.
Most parents in Florida, according to Farrell, desire their children to have extensive access to diverse literature. She asserted, “We live in a state where parental rights should be recognized, and we advocate for accountability in how these laws are affecting what is accessible to our children.”
Access to various Stephen King titles has also been curtailed, including classics like “It” and “Pet Sematary,” and even his memoir, “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,” has been banned in certain districts in Clay County. King, who spends part of his time in Florida, voiced his displeasure regarding the withdrawal of his works from schools, encouraging readers to seek out libraries or bookstores. “What the f—?” he expressed on social media in response to the book removals.
Several school districts across Florida are facing legal challenges for their restrictions on book access, with Escambia County currently embroiled in a lawsuit filed by both PEN America and Penguin Random House. In a separate instance, the Nassau County school district reached a legal settlement regarding the picture book “And Tango Makes Three,” which tells the story of two male penguins raising a chick, resulting in the reinstatement of three dozen previously removed titles to the library shelves.