Stephen King

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Billie Schwab Dunn

By Billie Schwab Dunn

Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter

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After critically acclaimed author Stephen King reacted passionately to his books being banned in Florida school libraries, Newsweek has compiled a list of his books that have been removed.

Governor Ron DeSantis enacted legislation in 2022 banning books in schools that included any kind of sexually explicit material. Republicans like Ron DeSantis have claimed that the legislation keeps kids from reading books that aren't appropriate for their age. However, opponents see the legislation as an attempt to silence discussion about racial and LGBTQ+ issues in public schools, raising fears that it may censor a wide range of subjects.

Numerous books, including Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, have been pulled from school libraries since the book ban went into effect in July 2023. Popular contemporary novels by writers like Margaret Atwood, Judy Blume and King have also been removed.

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Now six major book publishers, including Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins Publishers, have sued the state of Florida. The lawsuit filed on Thursday argues that Florida's law violates First Amendment rights to free speech.

On Saturday King shared his thoughts on X, formerly Twitter, after finding out his books have been included in the ban, with his name also being mentioned in the lawsuit.

"Florida has banned 23 pf [sic] my books. What the f***?" the author wrote on X, formerly Twitter. At the time of writing, his post had been viewed 15.7 million times.

Stephen King

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However, according to a detailed list shared by the Miami New Times, more than 50 books of King's have been banned in Florida schools—and there are plenty more that are pending.

In a statement shared with Newsweek, King said: "I have said it before, and will say it again: When books are banned from school libraries, run to your public library, or the nearest bookstore, and read what it is your elders don't want you to know."

Approximately 57 books written by King have been banned across four Florida school districts, excluding any titles that are pending review. Including the books that are pending review, the total number of King's books that are either banned or under review in these Florida school districts is 98. Some of the books pending review have also previously been banned.

Below, Newsweek has shared the school districts which have banned, or are considering banning, King's novels. Some are also reviewing certain titles that were previously banned in the district. This information is up to date as of August 23, 2024.

When looking at the information in the parentheses, the initial date represents the submission of the initial objection, and the subsequent date indicates the latest action taken. After that, it displays the original status while it was being reviewed, then the result of one or more decisions on removal and then the school year (or years) during which actions were taken.

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for King on Tuesday and for DeSantis on Monday, as well as King's publisher, Simon & Schuster, for comment..

Collier County Public Schools

When approached for comment via email, a spokesperson for Collier County Public Schools told Newsweek: "This school year, Collier County Public Schools is putting fresh eyes on the list of books and overall review process to remain in alignment with Florida law.

"In accordance with Florida House Bill 1069, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) staff members conducted an extensive review of materials available at our 50+ media centers. The State has made clear the potential punishment (third-degree felony FL Statute 847.12) for non-compliance.

"Determination for removal was made based on parameters of FL House Bill 1069, as well as other district review processes such as out-of-date titles that have minimal to no circulation.

"Each of our schools employs a media specialist who is part of our instructional staff, earned their Florida Teacher Certification, and continually promote and maintain a dynamic, richly diverse, up-to-date collection to support the reading needs of students. All our media specialists have completed the required Florida Department of Education training relating to the selection of materials."

Under Florida House Bill 1069, specific language and training about health and reproductive education in schools are mandated. The Department of Education must authorize any resources used for this type of education and it extends the prohibition on classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity to prekindergarten through grade 8.

Clay County School District

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Clay County School District for comment on Tuesday.

Escambia County School District

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Escambia County School District for comment on Tuesday.

Santa Rosa County District Schools

"In Santa Rosa County District Schools, media reconsiderations can be submitted for review in accordance with School Board Policy 4.22. Once submitted, these books are evaluated by a committee that determines whether they will be removed or remain available on the shelves. It's also important to note that parents have the option to limit the books their child can check out at any time," a spokesperson for Santa Rosa County District Schools told Newsweek via email.

"As stated in our policy: 'Any parent of a student enrolled in Santa Rosa County District Schools, resident of Santa Rosa County, Florida, or employee of the District may pursue an objection to the use of material in a classroom, made available in a school or classroom library, or included on a reading list. To proceed as a resident of Santa Rosa County, Florida, under this policy, a person must meet one of the following criteria:

"A. The person is a resident of Santa Rosa County who has maintained his or her residence in Florida for the preceding year;
B. The person has purchased a home that is occupied by him or her as his or her residence in Santa Rosa County; or,
C. The person has established a domicile in Florida pursuant to F.S. §222.17 in Santa Rosa County.'"

Okaloosa County School District

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Okaloosa County School District for comment on Tuesday.

In a March 2023 statement, DeSantis spoke about the book-banning legislation: "In Florida, pornographic and inappropriate materials that have been snuck into our classrooms and libraries to sexualize our students violate our state education standards. Florida is the education state and that means providing students with a quality education free from sexualization and harmful materials that are not age appropriate."

Update 09/03/24, 10:30 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from Stephen King.

Update 09/04/24, 03:52 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from a spokesperson for Collier County Public Schools.

Update 09/05/24, 03:10 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from a spokesperson for Santa Rosa County District Schools.

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