REPORT: This ICONIC, ultra-liberal American author is the most censored in US schools

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FROM DAILY MAIL: He may be one of the most beloved writers of all time – but a report suggests Stephen King is the most banned in schools, too.

The 78-year-old was behind the majority of books removed from US classrooms last year.

The author has released a slew of iconic novels over the course of his decades-long career, including many that were turned into massive movies, including Carrie, The Shining, Stand by Me, Misery, The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and It.

PEN America on Wednesday revealed that 6,870 books were ‘completely removed from availability to students’ in schools across 23 states due to ‘parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by governmental officials.’ Of those, 206 of them were written by King, who has been dubbed as the ‘King of Horror’ thanks to his unrivaled ability to write chilling novels.

The 2,308 different authors of the books also included Ellen Hopkins, Sarah J Maas, Jodi Picoult, Yusei Matsui, and Elana K Arnold.

PEN America claims the censorship “infringes students’ free speech rights” and “left a detrimental mark on thousands of creative people in the literary world.”

“Book bans leave authors at increased financial risk due to a reduction in school visits or events, and the potential subsequent impact on their future book sales,” it added.

However, King’s novels often include disturbing scenes. Carrie includes a horrifically bloody bullying scene, It has been criticized for racist scenes and placing children in peril, and Misery includes multiple scenes of physical and psychological torture. King’s other novels are filled with similarly disturbing content.

In response to being banned, King suggested on X that people buy his books to see what the fuss is about.

“I am now the most banned author in the United States–87 books,” he wrote. “May I suggest you pick up one of them and see what all the pissing & moaning is about? Self-righteous book banners don’t always get to have their way. This is still America, dammit.”

Another author on the list, Jodi Picoult, who has written 29 novels, includes scenes that have sexual content and deal with adult-appropriate subjects such as abortion, rape, and LGBTQ+ rights. She was also recently called out for her rant against Charlie Kirk after his assassination when she defended those celebrating his death. The post even pushed a false narrative that Kirk “preached hate” and that the shooter was a “cis white man from a Trump-supporting family raised to love guns.” Kirk’s accused killer was dating a man, had expressed left-leaning ideas, and was raised to respect guns.

Picoult reacted to her ranking on PEN America’s list, writing, “#4 this year. Clearly I’m a slacker.”

Yusei Matsui writes depictions of weapons and violence, which critics say glorifies violence. In fact, Matsui’s work includes a plot where middle school students are tasked with assassinating their teacher.

Defenders will say Picoult’s content is important to the plot and that Matsui’s work teaches important lessons, even if it’s through violence.

Sarah J. Maas’s books are accused of containing “pornographic or indecent” material that is sexually explicit and without educational value.

Ellen Hopkins’ books contain themes considered “dark” or sexually explicit, including discussions of drug use, sexual assault, teen prostitution, and LGBTQIA+ representation.

 

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