Florida Implements New Book Review Guidelines in Schools Ahead of Banned Books Week

Approximately 600 books have already been removed or discontinued in Florida districts due to objections or decisions made by school boards. Central Florida is included in this initiative, with three out of ten districts affected. This directive precedes Banned Books Week, which highlights challenges to reading materials, as recognized by the American Library Association. The state's objective is to ensure that students do not access materials deemed inappropriate or in violation of Florida law.

However, some authors and advocates for free expression argue that the state's measures lead to book removals based on specific passages rather than considering the broader context of the works.

Data from PEN America indicates that there were nearly 12,000 recorded instances of book bans in U.S. public schools during the 2025-26 school year, affecting more than 7,000 unique books and over 4,000 authors, illustrators, and translators. Fiction comprised 87% of the banned titles. During the previous school year, 114 districts across the U.S. banned books, with Florida reporting over 3,000 bans, second only to Texas, which cited more than 8,000.

In Central Florida, local counties have also reported book removals. Sumter County removed 22 books from high school libraries, while Polk County reported 32 removals, and Orange County documented one. Nearby Clay County north of Central Florida reported over 260 book removals.

Carl Hiaasen, a Florida author, is among those whose books have faced removal due to their content. Titles like Flush and Wrecker have encountered challenges under the state's guidelines. Hiaasen expressed that while it's disheartening to see his work banned, he finds it an honor to be grouped with renowned authors like Judy Blume and Stephen King. He mentioned that controversy often heightens students' interest in the material, stating, "Kids are smart. They’re going to read what they want to read."

The Florida Department of Education maintains that districts have a legal obligation to ensure that instructional and library materials are suitable for students. Commissioner Henry Mack's memo stresses that districts should not solely depend on parents to identify inappropriate materials and encourages reviews of collections for sexually explicit content.

In Orange County, board member Alicia Farrant has shown support for the state's initiatives. She characterized the efforts as a way to eliminate inappropriate materials, drawing an analogy to standards in radio broadcasting. Farrant noted a desire to improve the content available in schools, mentioning a specific book, Do Animals Fall in Love?, which the board voted to retain despite discussions about its content.

The department's suggested 90-day plan calls for a systematic review starting with materials previously removed due to objections, alongside assessments of frequently challenged authors and books with explicit content. The process is expected to include input from parents while allowing school officials to make final decisions.

Ultimately, the plan aims to ensure compliance with Florida law and provide transparency in how books are vetted before being made accessible to students.