Hillel Italie | Associated Press

The National Book Award finalists have been announced, with authors like Valeria Luiselli and Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat in the spotlight. Many nominated books tackle issues like gender identity and criminal justice. Danticat's "Dèy" and Luiselli's "Beginning Middle End" are among the fiction finalists. Karl Ove Knausgaard is a finalist in the translation category.

A new study from PEN America reveals that there were nearly 12,000 book bans in public schools over the past year, the highest since tracking began five years ago. Stephen King remains the most banned author for the second year. Many bans occur in Florida and Texas, where restrictive laws and political pressure have increased removals.

Two new reports provide a mixed but compelling outlook on the wave of book removals and challenges as the annual Banned Books Week begins for schools, stores and libraries nationwide.

The American Library Association announced today that Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer” was the most “challenged” book of 2022, the second consecutive year it has topped the list.

In a lifetime of amazing plot twists, Judy Blume is enjoying another at age 85. For the first time, one of her books has been adapted into a major Hollywood film.

A new report from the American Library Association says attempted book bannings and restrictions at school and public libraries continue to surge, setting a record in 2022.