Dozens of Stephen King's famous works have been banned from schools in Florida.
The bestselling author, known for his horror novels such as The Shining, Pet Sematary, and It, took to social media to voice his anger.
“Florida banned 23 of my books. What the hell?” King wrote on X.
His comment comes after Florida's conservative Governor Ron DeSantis pushed laws to restrict certain books in schools, particularly those with sexual content.
The law has led six major publishing companies to sue the state, arguing that it limits free speech. According to Newsweek, the lawsuit claims that the law allows books to be removed from schools if a parent or citizen complains about sexual content, without considering their educational value.
Under the 2023 law, any book questioned by a parent or citizen must be taken off school shelves within five days and can remain banned until authorities review the complaint. Critics say this process is flawed, as there is no deadline for resolving complaints, and even books that meet the rules can still be banned.
King's frustration reflects the wider controversy as many authors see their works banned in Florida. Books like For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, and The Diary of Anne Frank have also been targeted.
Critics argue the law is restricting important conversations about race, history, and sexuality in classrooms.
Governor DeSantis insists the law is not about banning books but giving parents the power to challenge content they believe is inappropriate. In a press release, he stated, "Florida is not banning books, but instead empowering parents to object to obscene material."
Stephen King's books, which often deal with horror and personal struggles, have been a key focus. Though King initially thought 23 of his books were banned, Newsweek found that 57 titles have been removed, with the number potentially rising to 98. These include Carrie, It, and Pet Sematary.
In response to the bans, King encouraged readers to seek out the restricted books, saying, "When books are banned in schools, go to the libraries, to the nearest bookstore, and read what the elders won't let you."
His message has sparked a debate online, with some conservative critics questioning the appropriateness of certain content for students.
