Jodi Picoult’s “Nineteen Minutes” tops the list of banned books in U.S. schools for 2023-2024, igniting a fierce debate about censorship and education.
At a Glance
- “Nineteen Minutes” banned in 98 school districts during 2023-2024 school year
- Over 10,000 book removals recorded, a 200% increase from previous year
- 40% of banned books address LGBTQ themes, 44% cover race/racism
- New state laws in Iowa, Florida, Utah, South Carolina, and Tennessee facilitate book bans
- American Library Association condemns censorship, promotes free access to information
Unprecedented Wave of Book “Bans” Sweeps U.S. Schools
The 2023-2024 school year has witnessed an alarming surge in book bans across American schools, with Jodi Picoult’s “Nineteen Minutes” emerging as the most frequently banned book. It is important to note that while the phrase used for this topic is “banned books,” these books are not “banned” in any real sense. They are not banned from publication, or from sale, or from public libraries. Public schools have always decided that some books are not appropriate for children; this is not a “book ban” in the way we generally understand that phrase.
Picoult’s novel, which explores the harrowing realities of school violence and teenage turmoil, has been removed from 98 school districts, sparking intense debate about censorship and intellectual freedom in education.
PEN America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting free expression, reported a staggering increase in so-called “book bans” in schools. The organization documented 4,231 unique titles banned in schools during the 2023-2024 school year, totaling over 10,000 book removals. This marks a 200% increase from the previous year, signaling a concerning trend in limiting students’ access to diverse perspectives and challenging content.
Annnnnd 19 Minutes gets banned in Missouri. https://t.co/jwzXCp0chs
— Jodi Picoult (updates only) (@jodipicoult) April 26, 2023
Targeting Controversial Themes
The decisions predominantly affect books addressing LGBTQ themes and alleged racism, with 40% and 44% of banned titles covering these topics, respectively. Classics like Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” and Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” have also fallen victim to this sweeping trend, removed from multiple districts alongside contemporary works.
“It’s really alarming. What’s crazy is that the book hasn’t changed,” Jodi Picoult said.
Proponents of the decisions argue that they aim to protect students from obscene content. And many of these “banned” books are obviously obscene. “Genderqueer,” for example, shows graphic drawings of oral sex and instructs kids on topics such as penetration with a finger. On the other hand, critics view these actions as a form of censorship that limits intellectual growth and understanding of complex societal issues. The majority of banned books, about 60%, are written for young adult readers, raising concerns about the impact on teenage education and development.
State Legislation Fuels Censorship
New laws in several states, including Iowa, Florida, Utah, South Carolina, and Tennessee, have facilitated the increase in book bans. These legislations, often framed under the banner of parental rights, have become key drivers of the book ban movement. In Iowa, for instance, nearly 400 books were listed for removal to comply with SF 496, a new state law restricting content related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual content in schools.
“The book banners who believe that banning books is protecting children are actually doing harm to children,” Jodi Picoult said.
The American Library Association (ALA) has taken a strong stance against this trend, condemning censorship and promoting free access to information. However, the ALA notes that a significant percentage (82-97%) of book challenges go unreported and do not receive media coverage, suggesting that the true scale of censorship may be even larger than current data indicates.
Did you watch the report on banned books on @60Minutes @CBSNews ? Of the 97 books removed from school libraries in Beaufort SC all but 4 were returned to shelves. NINETEEN MINUTES is one of those four deemed too sexually graphic to be in a high school library. (Hint: it’s not.)
— Jodi Picoult (updates only) (@jodipicoult) March 4, 2024
Authors Speak Out
Jodi Picoult, along with other affected authors, has been vocal in opposing the banning of her books. Despite the challenges, Picoult remains committed to her writing and does not plan to change her content. She expressed concerns about the loss of free speech and described the situation as a “slippery slope.”
