The Alarming Rise of Book Bans in Texas
Between July 2021 and December 2023, more than 1,500 books were banned in public schools across Texas, with 141 more banned in the 2023-2024 fall semester alone. This surge in censorship follows the implementation of HB 900, also known as the READER Act, a purposely vague state law taking books with “sexually explicit material” off the shelves. Classics like The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky were removed from public school libraries, leaving students with diminished access to diverse perspectives and important literary works.
Celebrating the Freedom to Read
Banned Books Week is an annual campaign aimed at highlighting widespread book banning efforts and celebrating the value of the freedom to explore and express ideas—a celebration that’s desperately needed in our state. For educators, librarians, and free speech advocates in Texas, Banned Books Week is an opportunity to push back against efforts to sanitize or limit access to literature. It serves as a reminder that students – regardless of where they were born, how much money their parents have, or their race – deserve to see themselves reflected in the books they read.
Why book banning is harmful
At the heart of the Texas book-banning movement is a belief that these books could “harm” children by exposing them to ideas or content that the religious right deems inappropriate. However, this push is more of an excuse to attack students’ right to access diverse perspectives, learn about their identities, and engage with complex social issues that reflect the world around them.
Book bans are not just about removing specific titles from shelves; they are part of a broader cultural and political effort from right-wing extremists to control what students learn and how they engage with the world. When schools remove books that explore systemic racism, gender identity, or historical injustices, they limit students’ ability to think critically about society. They foster an environment where uncomfortable truths are concealed or dismissed. However, the real truth is—extremists are the only uncomfortable ones.
Don’t take our word for it
In a long-term effort to uncover the extent of book banning, Texas Freedom Network Education Fund has collected Requests for Reconsideration of Material Forms from across the state of Texas. “Request for Reconsideration of Material Forms” are forms that anyone can fill out and submit to their local school district to make the case that a book be removed from the school’s library. Below are real quotes explaining why someone requested a book to be banned or removed.
(editors note: The following quotes contain harmful and dangerous language that does not reflect the views of our organization; they are included to illustrate the extreme nature of book-banning efforts and the urgent need to combat such censorship.)
A request was sent to Fort Bend ISD to remove ‘Rumble’ by Ellen Hopkins
“What do you believe is the theme and/or purpose of this work? Anti-Christian blasphemy that appeals to the prurient interests of minors in sex”
“What do you feel might be the result of exposure to this work? Students might decide to murder Christians and end up serving long prison sentences”
A request was sent to Fort Bend ISD to remove ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood
“What do you believe is the theme and/or purpose of this work? It is intended to sexualize readers and manipulate them into viewing religion as bad for the world”
A request was sent to Spring ISD to remove ‘Fifty Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers’ by Caela Carter
The form read: “I object to leading our minors to homosexuality ideology and gender alternatives. They have little or no experience in sex. They are born male or female…If they are thinking of acceptance, they need to look at it more like brainwashing. This book is putting ideas into our youth, that alternate gender identities are the answer to all problems.”
A request was sent to San Angelo ISD to remove ‘Hot Dog Girl’ by Jennifer Dugan
“How is this resource educationally unsuitable? Indoctrination to accept same-sex romantic relationships as normal”
These are just a few examples. Book banning is not quiet or gradual, it is happening now. The adults who submit these forms won’t feel the effects — young Black, queer, and non-Christian kids will. Children are left feeling unseen, invalidated, and excluded in an environment that should be fostering their growth, not restricting it.
There will be more
As we approach the next Texas legislative session, with bill filing starting in November, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and informed about potential new threats from the religious-right to our freedom to learn and read. The Texas Legislature is the world’s dizziest merry-go-round full of unpopular bills that Texas extremists refuse to let die. (See: Greg Abbott’s school voucher obsession.) It’s more important now than ever to stay up-to-date on any Texas Legislative news. Sign up for TFN’s Lege Watch newsletter to know what happens next in the fight against the religious-right’s attack on our public schools. Remember: Public schools are NOT Sunday schools.
