Banned books seem to be everywhere. While some might claim that they are "protecting children" by challenging or banning books from schools, libraries, and other public places, what they are really doing is a form of censorship.

That’s especially true during Banned Books Week, which kicks off on Sept. 22. The yearly event not only celebrates the free access of ideas, but it also highlights the increasing efforts to ban books – especially targeting titles featuring characters or written by authors who are LGBTQ+ and BIPOC.

More than 10,000 books were removed from school library shelves over the 2023-2024 school year, free expression advocacy group PEN America said in a new report released Monday at the start of national Banned Books Week.

Over 10,000 books were banned in public schools during the most recent school year, according to research from the nonprofit organization PEN America.