Banned Books Week 2023

Banned Books Week will be October 1 – 7, 2023. Book bans and restrictions are on the rise in classrooms and libraries across the country. We invite readers, authors, educators, librarians, and everyone who opposes censorship in America to get involved during Banned Books Week 2023. Learn more about PEN America’s groundbreaking research, this year’s events, and how you can help us #FreeTheBooks!

What is a banned book? Learn the basics of book banning with our FAQ.

Our Research: Banned in the USA

Book bans in public schools and libraries have recurred throughout American history, and have long been an issue of concern to PEN America as a literary and free expression advocacy organization.

READ THE REPORT

Discover Banned Books

The 10 Most Banned Books of the 2021-2022 School Year

These were the 10 most banned books in the 2021-2022 school year, according to PEN America's Banned Book Index.

The Most Banned Picture Books of the 2021-2022 School Year

These are the most banned picture books of the 2021-2022 school year. Several are nonfiction, including histories of civil rights and gay pride. Others are lighthearted fiction about animals or babies.

Florida Book Bans: Why Are There Empty Shelves in Florida Schools?

You may have seen pictures of empty bookshelves in Florida classrooms, or heard about book bans across the state. What’s happening now is that new laws passed last year in Florida are having a clear chilling effect on classroom teachers and librarians.

Banned in the USA Q&A: Kalynn Bayron calls challenges ‘clearly homophobic’

For Banned Book Week, PEN America interviews Kaylnn Bayron, author of Cinderella is Dead, which has been banned at least three times in the 2021-2022 school year.

Banned in the USA Q&A: Ashley Hope Pérez on how book bans are failing our children

For Banned Book Week, PEN America interviews Ashley Hope Pérez, author of Out of Darkness, which has been banned 23 times in the 2021-2022 school year.

Banned in the USA Q&A: Kyle Lukoff on the ‘desperate importance’ of fighting book bans

For Banned Book Week, PEN America interviews Kyle Lukoff, author of Call Me Max, which has been banned twice in the 2021-2022 school year.

Banned in the USA Q&A: Varian Johnson asks if book bans are meant to ‘keep a certain population of our country down’

For Banned Book Week, PEN America interviews Varian Johnson, author of The Parker Inheritance, which has been banned twice in the 2021-2022 school year.

Take Action: #FreeTheBooks

In classrooms, school districts, and libraries across the country, the freedom to read is under assault by restrictions and bans on books. PEN America needs your help to #FreeTheBooks

#FreeTheBooks

Follow Along with PEN America's Live Book Ban Index

PEN America tracks book bans in libraries and classrooms across America in our Index of School Book Bans, updated weekly.

VIEW THE INDEX

Right to Read in American Prisons Project

PEN America’s Right to Read in American Prisons Project focuses on ways prisons and jails across the country restricted access to literature and educational materials through book censorship and state book ban lists. During PEN America’s recognition of Banned Books Week, we are excited to share several essays written by incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and allied people on the crucial role of books in their lives.

READ THE ESSAYS

Read Banned Books

In this reading list, we chose to spotlight 78 of the most banned books across America. Every book on this list has been banned more than four times in schools and libraries. And everywhere, it is the books that have long fought for a place on the shelf that are being targeted. Books by authors of color, by LGBTQ+ authors, by women. Books about racism, sexuality, gender, history. Read banned books, and fight for the right to read

READ THE LIST