Stephen King Books Banned in Florida – Full List

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.

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.

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.

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 who 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

Bag of Bones — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Carrie — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Different Seasons: Four Novellas — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Four Past Midnight — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
It — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Rose Madder — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Song of Susannah — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Drawing of the Three — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Gunslinger — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Long Walk — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Running Man — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Stand — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Tommyknockers — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Under the Dome — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Wizard and Glass — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Wolves of the Calla — (10/25/2023 – 6/6/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Collier County Public Schools for comment on Tuesday.

Clay County School District

1922 — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
11/22/1963 — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Apt Pupil — (7/6/2023 – 7/6/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
Bag of Bones — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Billy Summers — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Black House — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Blaze — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Blockade Billy — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Carrie — (7/6/2023 – 7/6/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
Cell — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Christine — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Cujo — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Danse Macabre — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Different Seasons — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Doctor Sleep — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Dolores Claiborne — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Dreamcatcher — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Duma Key — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Retained; 23/24)
Elevation — (7/6/2023 – 7/6/2023; Restricted; Retained; 23/24)
End of Watch — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Finders Keepers — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Firestarter — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Four Past Midnight — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
From a Buick 8 — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Full Dark, No Stars — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Gwendy’s Button Box — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Gwendy’s Final Task — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Hearts in Atlantis — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
If It Bleeds — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Tie Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Insomnia — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
It — (7/6/2023 – 7/6/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
Joyland — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Just After Sunset — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Lisey’s Story — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Misery — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Mr. Mercedes — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Needful Things — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Nightmares & Dreamscapes — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Pet Sematary — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Revival — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Rose Madder — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Salem’s Lot — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Skeleton Crew — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Sleeping Beauties — (3/8/2024 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Song of Susannah — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Storm of the Century — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Retained; 23/24)
The Bachman Books — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams — (4/5/2024 – 4/30/2024; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
The Dark Half — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Dark Tower — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Dead Zone — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Drawing of the Three — (9/11/2023 – 9/11/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Green Mile — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; 23/24)
The Gunslinger —(9/11/2023 – 9/11/2023; Removed; 23/24)
The Institute — (4/5/2024 – 4/30/2024; Removed; 23/24)
The Long Walk — (11/15/2023 – 12/15/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
The Mist — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Outsider — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Regulators — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Running Man — (11/15/2023 – 12/15/2023; Restricted; Retained; 23/24)
The Shining — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Stand — (9/11/2023 – 9/11/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
The Talisman — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
The Tommyknockers — (11/3/2023 – 11/6/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
The Waste Lands — (9/11/2023 – 9/11/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
Thinner — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Under the Dome — (5/3/2024 – 5/29/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)
Wizard and Glass — (12/8/2023 – 12/15/2023; Restricted; Removed; 23/24)
Wolves of the Calla — (6/10/2024 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Removed; 23/24)

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

Escambia County School District

11/22/63: A Novel — (5/15/2024 – 5/15/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Bag of Bones — (8/10/2023 – 1/10/2024; Removed; Unclear; 23/24)
Carrie — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Cell — (6/18/2024 – 6/18/2024; Unclear; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Different Seasons: Four Novellas — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Doctor Sleep — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Dolores Claiborne — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Four Past Midnight — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Hearts in Atlantis — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
It — (6/13/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 22/23, 23/24, 24/25)
Needful Things — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Night Shift — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Pet Sematary — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Revival — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Song of Susannah — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Dead Zone — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Drawing of the Three — (11/16/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Gunslinger — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Stand — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Talisman — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Tommyknockers — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Waste Lands — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Wizard and Glass — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Wolves of the Calla — (8/10/2023 – 3/8/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)

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

Santa Rosa County District Schools

Bag of Bones — (6/19/2024 – 6/19/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Cell — (6/19/2024 – 6/19/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
Full Dark, No Stars — (4/26/2024 – 4/26/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
It — (7/20/2023 – 10/12/2023; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams — (3/18/2024 – 3/18/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Drawing of the Three — (11/15/2023 – 3/18/2024; Removed; Removed: Weeded; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)
The Long Walk — (5/14/2024 – 5/14/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)

Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Santa Rosa County District Schools for comment on Tuesday.

Okaloosa County School District

It — (8/27/2023 – 6/30/2024; Removed; Pending; 23/24, 24/25)

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.”

The post Stephen King Books Banned in Florida – Full List appeared first on Newsweek.