The association last year created itsUnite Against Book Bansnational initiative “to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.” During April’s National Library Week, the plan is to observe the first anniversary of that initiative. More on the American Library As...
Recent years have seen a record-breaking number of attempts to ban books. Here's how book banning emerged—and how it turned school libraries into battlegrounds.
PEN America also released a newly updated Banned in the USAreporton April 20, noting in the report’s subtitle “State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools.” Texas, Florida, Missouri, Utah and South Carolina racked up the most bans overall, serving as models for restrictive policies t...
In Florida recently, Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized "Gender Queer" and "Lawn Boy" upon signing a law that would force elementary schools to provide a searchable list of every book available in their libraries or used in instruction and allow parents, DeSantis said, "to blow the whistle." The...
A new national NPR/Ipsos poll reveals that 52% of Republicans are opposed to banning books from schools, whereas book bans are supported by 5% of Democrats, 16% of Independents, and 35% of Republicans. Paige Cowan-Hall has won the Women’s Prize Trust 20
From July 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, book bans occurred in 26 states and 86 districts, according to a PEN Americareport. These districts represent nearly 3,000 schools with a combined enrollment of more than two million students. Texas has the largest number of districts enacting bans, wit...
Author Jason Reynolds, the national ambassador for Young People's Literature, has seen several of his own books banned and says the biggest challenge behind book bans involves obscenity. "The truth of the matter is that most of these books are being couched in, they're being like, seated do...
A must-read in order to understand the deep and lasting impact of online smear campaigns and enduring need to stand up for books. Jones is an inspiration to everyone combating book bans and her memoir/guidebook should be available to all to help us defend our right to read. Booklist, ...
The article examines Iowa's legislative efforts to ban LGBTQ books in schools, focusing on the policies that restrict the teaching of race, gender, and sexual orientation. Topics discussed include Iowa's House File 802 and Senate File 496, the broader national trend of anti-...
Publishers, Advocates File New Complaint in Iowa Book Banning Case PEN America Finds New State Laws Are Supercharging School Book Bans View all » BookLife 'Stress Wisely' Wins 2024 BookLife Nonfiction Prize more... The Hero of Her Life: J.A. Wright Wins the BookLife Prize ...