meredith adamo 💫

Ahhhh YAY!!!

EVERY BOOK BANNED FROM THE READING BOWL HAS BEEN RESTORED!!!!!

The kids will be able to read and compete over all 20 books. Raising the issue made a difference. Teen advocates made a difference.

docs.google.com/document/u/0...

It's so annoying that I figured out a solution to a problem that's been ailing my book for over a year on a random Tuesday morning when I'm doing my day job.

Cannot wait to chat about this book with Nicole this weekend 💕

"Who submitted the complaints and what authority do they have to have their opinion on the books available to teens across the state for an optional Reading Bowl? Why would the steering committee capitulate to those requests? Why were those books a problem at all?"

UPDATE -- students in Georgia who've participated in the Reading Bowl have launched a petition to get answers as to why these 8 books were banned. Please amplify their petition and message, as well as the story here.

Petition: www.change.org/p/ensure-tra...

Sign the Petition Ensure transparency and change in Georgia High School HRRB book banning process

So many students from Georgia have been in touch with me this week about the current censorship situation with the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl — if you have a moment to read and sign their petition, I'd be so grateful. They're doing such incredible and difficult work.

www.change.org/p/ensure-tra...

Been Awhile, Huh? On banned books.

You know shit's rough when I write a newsletter for the first time since May 2024.

meredithadamo.substack.com/p/been-awhil...

No one will call this anything other than what it is:

pure cowardice.

No one will laud book banners as heroes.

(As if dedicating your time to combing children’s and young adult books for sexual / diverse / mature / ”inappropriate” content is somehow brave or noble.)

In the end—and there will be an end to this someday; I really think that—no one will look back on these coordinated censorship efforts and think of all the kids who were protected.

(Protected from what, exactly?)

(These are rhetorical questions, by the way. We know.)

What’s so terrifying about a teen learning to question her experiences, to think for herself, to use her voice?

What’s so scary about a survivor of sexual assault realizing that she’s not to blame for her abuse?

But what are you so afraid of?

What’s so frightening about a young woman recognizing the ways in which her body has been violated by boys and men and reclaiming it as her own?

Because censorship is about control.

It’s about denying young readers the chance to see their experiences reflected on the page and preventing them from seeing experiences other than their own.

It’s about silencing and dismissing and depriving and restricting.

It’s about fear.

I’m also mad.

And frustrated.

And upset.

And yet still my first impulse is to impress.

Look! Look at my accolades—the medal, the awards, the stars, the “best of” lists, the state recognition. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?

Obviously not, or else we wouldn’t be in this situation.

To start: I do not begrudge the educators and librarians who are being put in impossible positions by their counties, their school boards, their state legislation.

I’m honored to be an ally in this fight against censorship. Right now, most of us are doing the best we can with what little we have.

This week—Banned Books Week—I learned that NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS was one of eight YA titles (and Georgia Peach Book Award nominees) quietly removed from the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl in Georgia.

I shared my thoughts on censorship over on IG, but I wanted to share them here, too.

Truly impeccable timing to learn that NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS has been banned (yet again) on the first day of Banned Books Week.

Authors: If you found out that your publisher(s) failed to register with the U.S. Copyright Office, we can help. We provide ongoing legal assistance to our members and advocate for their work, particularly in the face of ongoing AI-related theft.

Thank you so much! That means the world to me — if you'd like me to mail you a signed copy for your classroom along with some swag (bookmarks and bookplates), I'd be so happy to do that! Feel free to chat me on here or message me on my site 💕

Just started this one, and already love it! Takes place in my hometown of Rochester, NY! #Edusky #Books @meredithadamo.bsky.social

Ahhh, I'm always so happy to meet a fellow Rochestarian! I hope you enjoy! 🥰

I wish I could say this is a long story that makes more sense in context but this is literally just the context. I told my therapist I watched Titanic three times in 48 hours and then she was like "Hey have you ever been assessed for OCD?"

Two years ago this week I watched Titanic three times in 48 hours which led to me getting diagnosed with OCD so today I'm celebrating by watching—YOU GUESSED IT!—Titanic.

i was actually really funny for this

Applied a praying mantis temporary tattoo LAST SATURDAY and it still hasn't come off despite multiple showers and every trick in the book, so I think I'm just going to embrace it for ALA.

I am manifesting this for us someday 🔮

SAVE THE DATE! I hope to see y'all at ALA!