PEN America’s Index of School Book Bans provides a comprehensive list of books banned in the 2022-2023 school year.

PEN America found 3,362 instances of individual books banned, affecting 1,557 unique titles. This represents an increase of 33% from the 2021-22 school year. The bans occurred in 33 states, with Florida leading the nation, according to PEN America’s Banned in the USA report.

The 2022-2023 banned book list is a searchable index of each documented book ban in the school year. The Index lists instances where students’ access to books in school libraries and classrooms in the United States was restricted or diminished, for either limited or indefinite periods of time. Some of these bans have since been rescinded and some remain in place. More information about PEN America’s definition of school book bans can be found here.

Download the index

See the complete Index of Banned Books from the 2021-2022 school year.

PEN America defines a school book ban as any action taken against a book based on its content and as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by lawmakers or other governmental officials, that leads to a previously accessible book being either completely removed from availability to students, or where access to a book is restricted or diminished. Read more in our Frequently Asked Questions.