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From censorship and AI to book fairs and the state of middle grade publishing, it's been an eventful year. Among those driving SLJ's most viewed posts of 2023: Jeff Kinney, Moms for Liberty, and stellar librarians. Ah, and those Best Books.

1. Outraged at Scholastic’s Option to Opt in—or Out—of Receiving Diverse Books, Librarians Seek Book Fair Alternatives
   By Kara Yorio, Oct 17, 2023
   Librarians and authors are angry and seeking alternatives after Scholastic Book Fair change that requires opt-in for an add-on case of diverse books for elementary fairs. PEN America calls on Scholastic to find a new solution instead of accommodating "nefarious laws."
    
2. Best Books 2023
   By SLJ staff Nov 20 2023
   School Library Journal has selected 169 titles as the Best Books of 2023. See what poetry, transitional, picture books, YA, middle grade, graphic novels, and nonfiction books we’ve honored this year.
    
3. On ‘Klanned Karenhood’: The outrage of Moms for Liberty cannot be the narrative
   By Kathy Ishizuka, Jul 17, 2023
   Moms for Liberty has waged war on public education and democratic values, leveraging fear and disinformation. There are steps to take, including exercising your own First Amendment rights to uphold a just and equitable society.
    
4. A Treatise on the State of Middle Grade and Young Adult Publishing Today
   By Karen Jensen, MLS | Blogs, Oct 18, 2023
   Teen librarian Karen Jensen discusses the current issues in middle grade and young adult publishing and their impact on reading and libraries
    
5. Building Better Book Fairs: Librarians Create New Models
   By Maura Madigan, Aug 29, 2023
   With a focus on student equity and revenue scenarios, these librarians put their own stamp on book fairs.
    
6. School Librarian Back-to-School Hacks for 2023–24
   SLJ staff, Aug 15, 2023
   SLJ asked 12 librarians to share one new thing they’re planning for the 2023–24 school year and one thing they do to stay positive in their work. Here’s what they had to say.
    
7. Jeff Kinney to Honor Librarians in Nationwide Tour for Next Wimpy Kid Book, ‘No Brainer.’ SLJ Has the Exclusive Excerpt.
   By Kathy Ishizuka, Oct 11, 2023
   'Wimpy Kid' tour will highlight “extraordinary” local libraries, librarians at bookstore events around the country. Kinney donates $100,000 to distribute to libraries chosen by local users, along with diverse books to enhance collections, courtesy of multiple publishers.
    
8. Scholastic Apologizes, Will Discontinue Optional Set of Diverse Titles at Book Fairs
   By Kara Yorio, Oct 25, 2023
   In a letter to its authors and illustrators, Scholastic Trade Publishing president Ellie Berger apologized for the decision to create the "Share Every Story" set of diverse titles at Scholastic Book Fairs. Calling it "a mistake to segregate diverse books," she added that Scholastic will discontinue the scheme in January and is "working on a pivot" for the remaining fall fairs.
    
9. Librarians Can Play a Key Role Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Schools
   By Andrew Bauld, Aug 31, 2023
   AI tools like ChatGPT are advancing by the day. Here's how librarians are using them, plus an overview of valuable AI tools and terms.
    
10. Refreshing the Canon Booklist
    By NCTE & SLJ Reviews May 11, 2023
    SLJ asked librarians and educators to weigh in on which classics should remain on summer reading lists. Inspired by the most popular titles that emerged, SLJ editors and members of NCTE’s Build Your Stack® Committee have curated this year’s round of “Refreshing the Canon” suggestions.