Freedom to Read Project

a penguin is writing on a piece of paper with a quill pen ALT: a penguin is writing on a piece of paper with a quill pen

Librarians in Texas are heading back to school with new regulations, less pay, and often, less staff. What simple thing could you do? Write a kind ❤️ letter of support for your librarian to BOTH the librarian and your school's superintendent.

Quote from Aya Khalil that says some books are so powerful they intimidate people

Stories that spark empathy and tell the truth, especially from underrepresented voices, are often the ones targeted by censors.
Why? Because they challenge the status quo & make people think. But banning a book doesn’t make its ideas disappear. It only silences voices that some fear will be heard.

The Anti-Book Ban Laws Passed in 2025 (& What They Mean): Book Censorship News, August 1, 2025 What does it mean to pass an anti-book ban law in 2025? Here are what states have done it and what these laws mean.

What states passed freedom to read/anti-book ban bills in 2025? Here's what they are, what they mean & what to consider under the recent Fifth Circuit ruling in Little vs. Llano County (& a full list of such laws nationwide)

That, plus this week's book censorship news.

bookriot.com/2025-anti-bo...

Thank you so much for highlighting this story!

Why Speaking at Public Meetings Still Matters… Even If It Doesn’t Change the Vote Speaking at public meetings may not change the vote, but it builds public pressure, attracts media attention, and helps shape the narrative for long-term change.

Ever felt your comment at a public meeting was swallowed by silence? That it “didn’t matter”? It does. Your voice creates a narrative. It gets quoted. It sparks media attention...and that can change the conversation long after the vote is cast.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/why_speaking...

I’m a Librarian. How Should I Handle Fights over Book Removals? The best way to fight inappropriate or untruthful books is by recommending to your library books that are good, true, and beautiful.

How about when you're seeking advice about your job as a librarian, you don't turn to a religious outlet who is going to tell you to listen to religion and not, well, your ethical duty?

A biased outlet here, but this is not an uncommon belief.

www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/figh...

Ohio GOP lawmakers eye override of budget veto to restrict LGBTQ+ library books COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio Republican lawmakers are eyeing an override of Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a measure requiring public libraries to limit access to books related to sexual or…

In less funny news, Ohio's Genital Obsessed Party is trying to figure out how to override the governor's veto of a budget provision which requires libraries put all LGBTQ+ *out of sight* of those under 18.

This provision wasn't just going to go away, y'all.

www.nbc4i.com/news/politic...

Texas parents: we need your help.

Email your school board trustees, or sign up to speak at your next school board meeting and tell them:

Please adopt the Library Materials EFB Local policy update- that does NOT establish a school library advisory council (SLAC).

Early Closure of House Leaves IMLS Future Hanging; What This Means & What You Can Do The abrupt early recess in the House of Representatives means the future of IMLS funding remains a question mark. Use this time to act.

The early recess called in the House of Representatives means that the Appropriations committee didn't yet markup the budget related to the future of the IMLS.

What this means & what you can do to save public libraries & museums across the country: bookriot.com/imls-funding...

Cover of Darius the Great Deserves Better

DARIUS THE GREAT DESERVES BETTER by Adib Khorram is a heartfelt, beautifully written story about identity, mental health, family, and first love.

It offers vital representation for queer teens, Iranian-American youth, and anyone who's ever struggled to find their place.

#FreedomToRead

Ways to support banned authors: buy their books, request them at the library, post about them on social media, sign up for their newsletter, invite them to speak in person or virtually

Want to support authors whose books have been banned? Here’s how YOU can help:

✅ Leave positive reviews
✅ Leave positive reviews
✅ Leave positive reviews 😉

Every voice matters. Every book challenged deserves defenders.

#BannedBooks #FreedomToRead #SupportAuthors

Updated guidance on banned books in Utah schools: you own it, you can bring it In January, the Utah State Board of Education said students could not bring banned books to campus — even their own copies. But after more legal review, the board is reversing course.

Utah just updated their policies regarding books banned by the state in public schools. Students can now bring their own personal copies to school without getting in trouble.

Ridiculous it was previously not allowed; ridiculous this is happening at all.

www.kuer.org/education/20...

Five tips for fighting back if your book is banned: 1. Speak out and use your voice. 2. Share your story online. 3. Utilize resources from PEN America and Authors Against Book Bans. 4. Connect with organizations fighting book bans. 5. Offer to do speaking events.

Has your book been banned or challenged? You’re not alone—and you can take action.

Here are some resources to get you started:

pen.org/book-bans/bo...

www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/faq/

#BookBan #FreedomToRead #AuthorsAgainstCensorship #BannedBooks #SoYourBookWasBanned #PENAmerica #StopTheBans

The Benefits of Reading to Your Children before Bed Bedtime stories offer benefits beyond simply helping lull your child to sleep.

Bedtime stories offer benefits beyond simply helping lull your child to sleep.

PEN: Mightier Than the Book Bans | This Way Out Radio Episode #1947 | LISTEN NOW on our website, podcasts everywhere, and community radio stations around the world. Just how far is it from book bans to bonfires? PEN America’s Los Angeles Director Allison Lee tracks the alarming censorship trend across the U.S. and how to stand up against it (interviewed by Jason ...

Just how far is it from book bans to bonfires? On the latest edition of @thiswayoutradio.bsky.social, PEN America’s Los Angeles Director Allison Lee tracks the alarming censorship trend across the U.S. and how to stand up against it (interviewed by Jason Jenn). www.thiswayout.org/post/this-wa...

“God Bless” and the Gospel of Government Control: How Florida’s “Letter to Parents” Reveals the Project 2025 Blueprint Florida’s education letter echoes Project 2025’s agenda—masking religious control, censorship, and exclusionary policies as “parental rights,” while silencing diverse families and public school voices...

Florida’s “Letter to Parents” isn’t just a back-to-school note...it’s a warning sign.

Behind the feel-good language lies a dangerous blueprint for government control, religious indoctrination, and censorship, echoing the goals of Project 2025.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/_god_bless_a...

Graphic displaying a collage of nine squares. The eight squares along the border of the graphic show close-up illustrations and images taken from book covers belonging to books about disability justice. At the center of the collage is a blank white square containing the title, “18 Books about Disability Justice”.

The time for disability justice, as it always has been, is now.

Disability justice underlines and ties together all anti-oppression movements. If you want to learn more about #DisabilityJustice and how you can support disabled communities, any of these 18 books would be a good place to start!

That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

Cover of SOLD

SOLD by Patricia McCormick is a powerful, compassionate novel that brings awareness to the harsh realities of human trafficking through the eyes of a young girl.

We must protect stories that shed light on the darkest corners of our world.

#FreedomToRead #LetStudentsLearn #BooksNotBans

Graphic that shows four ideas of what to include—professional reviews, awards and honors, teaching guides and classroom resources, and author statements

Want a powerful tool to defend books under fire? Create a Book Resume!

Just like a job applicant showcases their qualifications, a Book Resume highlights a book’s value and credibility, especially useful when titles are challenged or misunderstood.

Examples:
bookresumes.uniteagainstbookbans.org

Kurt Vonnegut quote that says I hate it that Americans are taught to fear some books and some ideas as though they were diseases

596 books. Banned by Department of Defense schools. Stories about race, gender, history, and identity—all silenced.

Vonnegut was right. Fear should never dictate what our children are allowed to read.

pen.org/books-banned...

#FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #LetKidsRead #IntellectualFreedom

Only One Library Book Ban Case Has Ever Made It to the Supreme Court If you've ever doubted the power of your voice, learn how Steven Pico and his fellow high school students fought and won the battle against book bans in their school.

If you've ever doubted the power of your voice, learn how Steven Pico and his fellow high school students fought and won the battle against book bans in their school.

Booth at Tx PTA launch for Texas Freedom to Read Project

Talked to hundreds of parents at the Tx PTA Launch this weekend.

Main takeaway: Parents are *furious* at book banners limiting their kids’ education and take real offense at the gov’t overreach that book banning represents. They’ve put themselves in real political peril.

Debunking the Myths: Responding to the Most Common Arguments for Book Censorship Book censorship arguments often disguise efforts to erase diverse voices. Responding with facts, empathy, and First Amendment values helps protect everyone’s right to read.

Ever heard someone say “We’re just protecting kids” or “There are plenty of other books”? These are the myths driving book bans.

We break down the most common arguments for censorship and give you the facts and responses to push back with confidence:

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/debunking_th...

What's Included in the 596 Books Banned by the Department of Defense Education Activity? Here is the list of nearly 600 books banned by the Department of Defense in military schools across the globe.

Thanks to the lawsuit over book bans by the Department of Defense Education Activity, we now know the nearly 600 books banned in US military schools worldwide.

The list prominently features LGBTQ+ books, books about racism, puberty titles, and comics.

bookriot.com/whats-includ...

Cover of Judy Blume’s Forever…

Judy Blume’s Forever… has helped generations of teens navigate first love, heartbreak, and growing up with honesty and empathy.

Banning it doesn’t protect kids. It denies them the chance to learn about relationships and consent in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way.

#FreedomToRead

Top tips for submitting an op-ed. Word count is likely 500-750 words. Cite a previous article on the same issue. Use a direct lede that summarizes your main points. Preview your draft with others to get feedback.

Want to speak out against censorship in your community? Submitting an op-ed is a powerful way to make your voice heard!

✅ Keep it to 500–750 words
✅ Reference past coverage by the outlet
✅ Lead with a strong summary
✅ Test it on 2–3 friends for clarity

Your words can spark change!

#FreedomToRead

Black, purple, and yellow graphic titled “30 Nonbinary 2025 Book Releases to Enjoy”.

This #NonbinaryPeoplesDay, why not celebrate with any of these nonbinary books that have been released (or will be released) in 2025? Whether you’re looking for new releases with nonbinary characters or you simply want to support books written by nonbinary authors, we’ve got you covered! 💛🤍💜🖤

223 book titles pulled from school library shelves in Virginia, but 75% were in just 5 places A state report lists which books were removed from school library shelves and how many each school system pulled. Most schools didn’t remove any.

75% of the books banned in Virginia happened in just 5 school districts, per a new report from the state: cardinalnews.org/2025/07/15/2...

Thank you for sharing this! ❤️😊