Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans

Stonewall Book Award-winning author @alexgino.bsky.social speaks about why they support Massachusetts' Freedom to Read legislation: because books gave them "language to describe who I was, and knowledge that there were other people like me." #MassFreedomToRead

Love to see it. And also I want this book it looks truly adorable.

@authorsabb.bsky.social #MassFreedomToRead

Watertown library receives backlash over Palestinian children's book Librarians in Watertown have been flooded with emails requesting they remove a picture book, "A Map for Falasteen," from a suggested summer reading list for second graders.

Kelly Linehan, vice president of the Massachusetts Library Association, stated that “The library's role is not to endorse specific viewpoints. But to provide access to the full spectrum of ideas, even and especially those that some may find uncomfortable.” 👏 www.wbur.org/news/2025/08...

Watertown library receives backlash over Palestinian children's book Librarians in Watertown have been flooded with emails requesting they remove a picture book, "A Map for Falasteen," from a suggested summer reading list for second graders.

Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans co-lead @danaalisonlevy.bsky.social spoke with WBUR, explaining that this effort is an example of "soft censorship," and is "part of a larger, multi-tentacled effort to suppress readership and opportunity to read." www.wbur.org/news/2025/08...

Good news! After last week's hearing, which 100+ people attended, the picture book "A Map for Falasteen" by Maysa Odeh and illustrated by Aliaa Betawi remains on the Watertown library's suggested summer reading list! Thanks to @wbur.org for reporting on this story: www.wbur.org/news/2025/08...

A flyer for an event that reads: PLEASE JOIN US SAVE OUR STORIES: Lawmakers on Protecting the Right to Read Freely The backlash to book-banning has arrived, with 6 states passing Freedom to Read laws this year--and 19 others proposing such laws. Join Penguin Random House Public Policy and an all-star panel of state lawmakers to discuss the progress we've made toward protecting the right to read freely, the challenges ahead, and how to inspire the movement in your own community and state legislation. Panel will include: Sen. Lisa Cutter (D-CO), Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Dafna Michaelson-Jenet (D-CO) Rep. Veronica Paiz (D-MI) Rep. Carol Glanville (D-MI) Beacon Press 24 Farnsworth Street Boston, MA 02210 TUESDAY, AUGUST 5th Doors open at 6 pm, panel begins at 6:30 Powered by Penguin Random House

Today I will be speaking at this event on the freedom to read. Looking forward to meeting some state legislators! Thanks to @beaconpress.bsky.social for hosting and to @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social for helping set this up. #massfreedomtoread @authorsabb.bsky.social

MA friends, who’s going with me to Watertown tonight?

(2) Write a letter of support to the library defending the freedom to read by emailing LibraryTrustees@watertown-ma.gov (there is no deadline).

Let us know if you're going to go in person or send an email!

The Watertown Library Trustees will be meeting July 31 at 7 pm at Watertown Middle School (68 Waverley Ave). Support the library and the freedom to read in one of two ways:

(1) Come to the meeting in person (no hybrid option) and make a public comment. Signup is first come first served.

The books are: A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh and
Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine by Hannah Moushabeck

watertown.minlib.net/Record/.b429...
watertown.minlib.net/Record/.b416...

Watertown Free Public Library has received >2000 emails from across the country, as well as some direct local harassment, claiming that 2 books on their suggested summer reading lists are antisemitic.

🚨 The Watertown Free Public Library (MA) has been receiving organized harassment for including 2 books on suggested summer reading lists. Support the library and defend the freedom to read JULY 31 at 7 pm at the library board meeting at the Watertown Middle School. @authorsabb.bsky.social 🧵

@danaalisonlevy.bsky.social @mcusolito.bsky.social @federicoerebia.bsky.social @malindalo.bsky.social @amandadavisart.bsky.social

If you missed yesterday's committee hearing about An Act Regarding Free Expression, you can watch the archived video here: malegislature.gov/Events/Heari...

We loved hearing testimony from librarians, teachers, authors, and teens about what the freedom to read means to them! #bannedbooks

Members of Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans are standing on the steps in front of the gate to the Massachusetts State House. Clockwise from top left: Tui Sutherland, Federico Erebia, Malinda Lo, Michelle Cusolito, Dana Alison Levy, and Amanda Davis

Yesterday members of Massachusetts Authors Against Book Bans delivered testimony at the State House in Boston in support of An Act Regarding Free Expression. Thanks to everyone who came, including members of our #MassFreedomToRead coalition!

It’s a gorgeous day in Boston to support the freedom to read! #MassFreedomToRead @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social

Today a crew from @massaabb.bsky.social will be in Boston at the Statehouse, in support of bills H.3594 and S.2328, both titled An Act Regarding Free Expression.

This is about the freedom to create, read, and share freely.

We cannot do everything, but must try to do SOMETHING.

Today we and our coalition partners from #MassFreedomToRead are heading to the State House in Boston to testify in support of An Act Regarding Free Expression at 1 pm. Tune in virtually here: malegislature.gov/Events/Heari...

MA creator friends! There is active pending legislation that directly affects your life and ability to write/illustrate/publish/access information in your state. Follow @massaabb.bsky.social (pronounced like Mass Ave has a cold) for updates and info!

Massachusetts! Freedom to Read legislation is in the legislature & there is a hearing next week! Info you need to submit written testimony here: malegislature.gov/Events/Heari...
You can also sign up to get updates from Mass Freedom to Read here: instagram.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

Mass. Coalition Speaks Up for Right to Read As Massachusetts considers four new Freedom to Read bills, authors, illustrators, librarians, booksellers, publishers and educators of the newly launched Mass Freedom to Read Coalition will testify…

Thanks to @publisherswkly.bsky.social for highlighting #MassFreedomToRead! Members of our coalition will be at the State House in Boston on July 22 to deliver testimony supporting the freedom to read. Stay tuned!

Rhode Island was founded by people censored, imprisoned & exiled by the Massachusetts Colony for their writings and speech. We are thrilled to pass the baton for the fight to protect freedom of expression to @massaabb.bsky.social & Mass #FreedomToRead coalition. Roger Williams would be proud!

Our coalition members include:

@abfefreeexpression.bsky.social
@beaconpress.bsky.social
@candlewickpress.bsky.social
@charlesbridge.bsky.social
Massachusetts Library Association
@penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
@nosycrowus.bsky.social

If you support freedom of expression and the freedom to read, join us in supporting the passage of An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328) by signing up at eepurl.com/ji3oJw

Now is the time for the Massachusetts state legislature to pass a comprehensive Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians and educators from harassment for doing their jobs; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, and publishers from economic harm due to censorship.

Parents have the right to guide their own children's reading, but parents should not dictate what other people's children are allowed to read. In Massachusetts, with our deep and valued history of patriotism, we know that censorship is the opposite of a patriotic act.

Massachusetts booksellers have faced harassment and intimidation at their events.

In Massachusetts, challenges to library collections, programs, and displays have more than doubled in over the last three years. Massachusetts authors and creators have had their work banned or challenged in dozens of states, and in Massachusetts itself.

In the United States, we have the right to access books with a wide range of information and perspectives. We have the right to freely express our own ideas through speech, writing, and art.