Book bans have reached an all-time high! In 2023 alone, more than 4,000 unique titles were challenged in public libraries and school libraries, the most PEN America has recorded since they started tracking these bans. Banning books continues to be a harmful and exclusionary practice. Individuals, government officials, or school administrators, remove books from libraries, reading lists, or even bookshelves because they object to their content, ideas, or themes. And, the most banned book of the ’22-’23 school year? A novel written by Filipino-American writer Mike Curato. Read a book from our Uncensored booklist and share your personal reflections about the importance of the story and how you’ll advocate for culturally representative stories in your school! You'll be eligible for the opportunity to earn a $500 scholarship.