News Summary
The South Carolina Board of Education has banned 22 books from public school classrooms and libraries, marking the highest number of book bans in the U.S. The latest decision, made in a recent board meeting, includes the children’s book ‘I Am Billie Jean King’ and has drawn criticism for targeting LGBTQ+ literature. A parent complaint led to the bans, underscoring ongoing debates over educational content and censorship. These actions reflect a growing trend in regulation of materials deemed inappropriate, raising concerns over access to diverse literary voices.
Columbia, South Carolina – The South Carolina Board of Education has officially banned a total of 22 books from all public school classrooms and libraries, making South Carolina the state with the most book bans in the United States. This decision, made during a board meeting on May 6, 2025, included the removal of ten additional titles, raising the total from 12 previously banned books.
Among the newly banned titles is the children’s picture book I Am Billie Jean King, authored by Brad Meltzer. This illustrated biography, designed for children aged 5 to 9, discusses Billie Jean King’s sexual orientation. The removal of this particular title occurred after a parent in the Lexington-Richland 5 district lodged a complaint regarding its content, which they deemed inappropriate.
According to the district’s assessment, I Am Billie Jean King failed to meet the health education standards, which stipulate that educational materials should avoid topics related to “preferential lifestyles or romantic feelings.” As a result of the ban, the book will be available only in the office of the school counselor, and access will require parental approval.
The South Carolina Board of Education has faced criticism over its unclear standards defining what constitutes inappropriate sexual content within educational materials. These recent bans are part of a growing trend targeting literature featuring LGBTQ+ characters and themes. Regulation 43-170, implemented in August 2024, gives schools authority to ban books that include descriptions of “sexual conduct” considered inappropriate for grades K-12.
The book bans were significantly influenced by a single parent, Elizabeth “Ivie” Szalai, from Beaufort County. She previously sought to have 97 books removed from school district libraries. A majority of the titles banned by the board were targeted due to perceived sexual content, even when such content provided educational value or relevance to students.
Notable works removed from school libraries include popular titles such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and All Boys Aren’t Blue. Activist organizations, including the ACLU of South Carolina, have condemned these actions as detrimental to children’s access to literature and educational resources.
Prior to South Carolina’s record, Utah held the title for most banned books in schools, with 17 titles total. The most recent vote from the South Carolina Board of Education also saw two dissenting votes against the bans, cast by board members Dr. David O’Shields and Rev. Tony Vincent.
State law permits citizens to report concerns regarding books, potentially leading to their removal or restrictions in accordance with district and state guidelines. This increased scrutiny and regulation of educational materials signify a shifting landscape in educational policy as debates continue over the appropriateness and relevance of various content in schools.
The implications of these bans extend beyond individual titles, as they reflect broader societal conversations around censorship, educational content diversity, and the inclusion of marginalized voices in literature. The commitment to protect educational environments while ensuring young students have access to a range of literary perspectives remains a critical point of discussion, amid ongoing challenges presented by individual parental concerns.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
South Carolina Lawmakers Tackle DEI, Abortion, and Childcare Issues
Columbia Faces Legal Challenge Over Education Policies
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- ABC Columbia
- Island Packet
- Post and Courier
- The State
- Wikipedia: Book Banning
- Google Search: South Carolina Book Bans
- Google Scholar: Book Banning in Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Censorship
- Google News: South Carolina Education Book Bans
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