September 18-24, 2022 marks Banned Books Week, the annual celebration of the freedom to read.
Recent years have seen a significant rise in the number of book bans and challenges in both school and public libraries in the United States. In support of access to books, we’ve previously compiled a list of resources to combat challenges in your school or library.
If you’re interested in a hands-on approach to Banned Books Week, there are numerous ways to encourage positive activity. Follow @BannedBooksWeek on Twitter, post a video of yourself reading from a banned book or talking about censorship, or write a letter of appreciation to a favorite banned or challenged author. More of these suggestions can be found on the ALA Banned Books page.
We’ve also collected a list of Lerner and Lerner Publisher Services titles that have faced challenges or bans in schools or libraries. Find a brief summary of each title, along with reviews, awards, and supplemental teaching resources where available.
As Judy Blume once said:
“If every individual with an agenda had his/her way, the shelves in the school library would be close to empty.”
It is important for all of us to keep the shelves of our libraries, our classrooms, and even our bookstores filled with books that allow freedom of choice and expression.
Show Everyone that You’re with the Banned!
If you prefer to show your support for the right to read the stylish way, grab some merch! We’ve made this eye-catching “I’m With the Banned” design available for purchase on clothing, tote bags, and more at: https://www.cafepress.com/standwiththebanned
Proceeds will be donated to Unite Against Book Bans.
Need more preparedness posts? Explore the Lerner blog here.