Freedom to Read

If you've followed my work for awhile, it's probably clear that I care deeply about the joy of reading and the importance of learning about our world and each other through stories. And how critical it is for each and every one of us and the kids in our lives to hear from people who have experiences like our own AND outside our own, whether that's through books or other media. Book bans and challenges disproportionately target voices and experiences from LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. Limiting the voices and experiences that kids can read from hurts them.

I recently attended an event with some local author friends in support of the students, parents, teachers, and librarians in St. Francis who are fighting to protect the freedom to read right here in Minnesota (learn more about what's happening here). It hit my heart to hear directly from the students, teachers, and librarians. I already felt strongly against book bans as it is a direct form of censorship and impacts the most marginalized members of our world most severely. There's a heightened level of powerfulness when a person (especially a child) is standing right in front of you telling you what they need that intensifies the need to do more.

There was also a screening of the documentary "To Be Destroyed". It's free to watch here:

"To Be Destroyed is a documentary which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was broadcast on MSNBC in August 2024. The film follows Dave Eggers as he meets with students and teachers in the Rapid City, SD school district where his novel The Circle was pulled from shelves along with works by Alison Bechdel, Stephen Chbosky, Bernardine Evaristo and Imbolo Mbue. Through footage of heated school board meetings, community rallies and interviews with locals, we learn how these books were designated 'to be destroyed.'"

How you can help support the freedom to read in public schools and libraries in the US:

• THIS ONE IS REALLY IMPORTANT: Pay attention to your school board elections. Find out which candidates support access to books and vote for them. Oftentimes school boards have the power to allow or prevent book bans.
  
  
• Keep an ear out for book bans or challenges in your area and report any to United Against Book Bans via this form.
  
  
• Checkout, buy, and read books that have been banned or challenged (often a challenge effectively inhibits or eliminates access to the book). Prioritize getting your hands on banned books that have been published more recently. Some of the older ones are great to read too, but many of those have already received attention – let's spread the love to the ones that haven't gotten as much.
  
  
• Authors Against Book Bans is fundraising for the Florida Freedom to Read Project, which has been on the frontlines of fighting book bans for years. Learn more and support this grassroots effort here.
  
  
• If you are an author or book illustrator, join Authors Against Book Bans if you haven't already!
  
  
• Find more actions and support for your efforts at United Against Book Bans.
  
  

Thanks for reading this and reading in general!