Florida school districts reported more than 700 books removed from their shelves last school year because of objections from local residents, according to a list released by the Florida Department of Education this week,

The Florida Department of Education released a list of more than 700 books that were pulled from school shelves. during the 2023-2024 school year.

Florida education leaders are trying to fend off a lawsuit filed by major publishing companies and authors over the removal of books from school libraries, disputing allegations that a controversial state law violates the First Amendment.

A Florida Department of Education spokesperson countered that no books were banned. Rather, she said, schools took steps to ensure that sexually explicit materials are not in school libraries for children to access, adding the materials remain available elsewhere.

If you're wondering which author had the most books banned in Florida schools last year, think about horror stories in the heart of Maine.

Florida schools have removed hundreds of books, including works by Toni Morrison, Kurt Vonnegut, and Maya Angelou, as state laws empower parents and residents to challenge library content.

Committees for Polk County Public Schools voted to remove the six titles after reviewing them following public challenges.

Acclaimed classic “The Handmaid’s Tale” is one of the most-removed books in Florida schools. New lists from a nonprofit advocacy group and the Florida Department of Education both place that book in the top three of removed novels for the 2023-24 school year,