The Bluest Eye
Toni Morrison
Pulled from Cobb County, Ga. school libraries, September 2026. Banned in 49 school districts, 2023–24.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Get the book via Bookshop.orgBlack voices. Open shelves.
Read what theyFEAR!
50+ books they pulled from schools. In print. No school board required.
Banned and challenged books on Black history and the African American experience.
Books purchased and fulfilled through Bookshop.org.
Supporting independent bookstores with every purchase.
Latest report · October 2026
PEN America recorded 11,982 school book-ban incidents in 2025–26.
PEN America recorded 11,982 school book-ban incidents in 2025–26.
01 / Start with a story
Pulled from their shelves.
Still on ours.
The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas
Banned in 39 school districts in 6 states, 2023–24, including Charlotte County, Fla. (Aug. 2023).
Source: PEN America Get the book via Bookshop.org
Beloved
Toni Morrison
Banned in 39 school districts in Florida, Iowa and Texas, 2023–24, including Charlotte County, Fla. (Aug. 2023).
Source: PEN America Get the book via Bookshop.org
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Maya Angelou
Banned in 37 school districts in 4 states, 2023–24, including Charlotte County, Fla. (Aug. 2023).
Source: PEN America Get the book via Bookshop.org11,982
school-ban incidents recorded in 2025–26. PEN America
50+
titles in our Black history collection
4
audience collections to explore
∞
possibilities when a story stays within reach
02 / The collection
They banned Black history.
We stocked it.
Memoirs that speak for themselves. Histories that ask more of us. Picture books that make room for every child. Our 50+ title collection keeps these stories discoverable.
03 / Our conviction
They banned the books.
We built the store.
History deserves
an open shelf.
UnBanned is an online platform for discovering banned and challenged books, with a focus on Black history and the African American experience.
We connect readers, parents, educators, and reading groups with books and the context behind their challenges.
Read our mission →04 / Behind a restriction
The ban ended.
The book didn't.
The New Jim Crow was restricted in two New Jersey prisons. After the ACLU challenged the decision, the ban was reversed in January 2018. Historical context matters: a past restriction is not a permanent status.
Read the ACLU’s account Explore The New Jim Crow on Bookshop.org
Monthly edition
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Planned: $45 / month
Two books. Every month.
No permission needed.
We're building a monthly box of two hand-curated banned books on Black history and the African American experience. Join the waitlist and you'll hear first when it launches.
- ✦ 2 banned titles, curated monthly — different every time
- ✦ A reading guide in every box
- ✦ Planned: $2 per box for Black literacy programs
- ✦ Subscription terms will be confirmed before launch
- ✦ Waitlist members get first access at launch
Joining the waitlist is free and does not create a subscription. Privacy policy.
No payment now. We'll only email you about the box launch.
Find your next read.
No permission needed.
Step 1: Browse the list
Explore 50+ banned titles on Black history, slavery, and the African American experience. Explore the historical context alongside each title.
See all 50+ titlesStep 2: Order online
Check formats, pricing and availability on Bookshop.org. Orders are fulfilled by Bookshop.org, which sends a share of every sale to independent bookstores.
See the most bannedStep 3: Read. Share. Resist.
Read what they tried to erase. Share it with someone who needs it. Stand with everyone who believes history cannot be cancelled — only hidden, and never for long.
Read the record
Don't take our word for it. Check the record.
“Banned,” “challenged,” and “removed during review” describe different circumstances. We link to historical records and distinguish those events from current availability.
Schools · Book clubs · Organizations
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Ask away.
Straight answers.
What is a banned book?
A challenge is a request to restrict or remove a book. A ban removes access in a particular setting. Definitions vary: some records include temporary removals during review. Read the ALA definitions.
Are banned books illegal to buy?
A school or library removal does not itself prohibit retail purchase. The books linked here are offered through Bookshop.org; check the retailer for current availability.
Why are books challenged in U.S. schools?
Objections may concern language, sexual content, or age suitability. The reasons and outcomes depend on the title and setting. The ALA explains common objections; our guide explains the distinctions.
Where can I buy banned books?
Browse our curated collection, then follow a book’s purchase link to Bookshop.org. The retailer handles payment, delivery, returns, and available formats.
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