Stephen King has given a blunt three-word response after discovering that 23 of his books have been banned from school libraries in Florida. The author wrote on social media: “Florida has banned 23 pf [sic] my books. What the f***?”
The bans stem from a 2022 law signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, which targets books containing sexually explicit material. The legislation, which took effect in July 2023, has led to the removal of classics including Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and even Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl from school libraries.
Six major publishers – Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan and Sourcebooks – have now joined forces to challenge the law. They argue that the statute requires librarians to remove books containing anything that could be construed as 'sexual conduct' without considering educational value, and that objections can lead to indefinite removal with no requirement for a timely review.
The publishers said: “Students need access to books that reflect a wide range of human experiences to learn and grow. It’s imperative for the education of our young people that teachers and librarians be allowed to use their professional expertise.”
Florida's Department of Education has pushed back. Spokesperson Sydney Booker called the lawsuit a “stunt”, insisting: “There are no books banned in Florida. Sexually explicit material and instruction are not suitable for schools.”
