As the school year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank the educators who dedicate themselves to helping students learn, grow, and discover the power of books. Thank you for all that you do. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/an_open_lett...

CEMETERY BOYS by Aiden Thomas is a moving story about identity, family, and belonging. Through fantasy, mystery, and Latinx cultural traditions, it offers readers both representation and empathy. Every reader deserves the freedom to choose stories that help them understand themselves and others.

A successful summer reading routine doesn't have to be complicated. Set aside 15 to 20 minutes each day, let your child choose books that interest them, and make reading a regular part of the day (after breakfast, before bed, or during quiet time).

Summer is the perfect time to build a reading habit! Just 15–20 minutes a day can help kids maintain reading skills, grow their vocabulary, and discover new ideas. Let them choose books they love, visit the library, and make reading part of the routine. #SummerReading #KidsWhoRead #FreedomToRead

Nonfiction censorship has grown dramatically recently. Check out some of these targeted titles. people.com/pen-america-...

What happens when publishers begin avoiding LGBTQ+ stories before a book is ever challenged? This article explores how years of censorship efforts are creating a chilling effect across the publishing industry, making it harder for queer voices & stories to reach readers bookriot.com/queer-books-...

What happens when censorship starts shaping books before they’re even published? Explore the hidden consequences of book bans, from authors softening stories to publishers avoiding risky topics & the growing pressure of self-censorship. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_books_we...

BRAVE NEW WORLD still sparks important conversations about censorship, conformity, technology & independent thought nearly a century later. Books like this matter not because they provide easy answers, but because they challenge readers to think critically about society, freedom & power.

Check out the Freedom to Read Project merch store and grab a cute shirt! Every purchase helps fund our nonprofit’s advocacy work, educational resources, community outreach, and efforts to defend access to books and information. www.bonfire.com/store/freedo...

This Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country and the freedoms they helped protect, including the freedom to read, learn, and express ideas openly. We remember their sacrifice and remain committed to protecting intellectual freedom for future generations.

Want to make your voice heard in the fight against censorship? Writing a letter to the editor is one of the most effective ways to engage your local community and bring attention to book bans and intellectual freedom issues. bookriot.com/examples-of-...

After years of censorship headlines, many advocates are feeling something difficult but deeply human: exhaustion. Our newest article explores “freedom to read fatigue,” why constant outrage can be unsustainable & what long-term advocacy looks like. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/freedom_to_r...

This powerful novel explores racism, police violence, friendship, identity, and what it means to speak up when something is wrong. It gives teens the opportunity to confront difficult realities with empathy, honesty, and critical thinking.

A national book rating system may sound simple, but it could lead to bias, oversimplification, self-censorship, and restricted access to important stories and information. Parents, librarians, and educators already have tools to help guide reading choices without reducing books to warning labels.

Two generations. Same conclusion. Whether you say “book bans undermine critical thinking” or “book bans are giving dystopian nightmare,” the truth is the same: restricting access to books hurts everyone. The freedom to read matters at every age. #FreedomToRead #BookBans #RightToRead

Five years. Thousands of bans. Countless students impacted. Read what we’ve learned from five years of book ban data & why the fight for the freedom to read is far from over. The numbers tell a powerful story about censorship, access & who gets targeted most. bookriot.com/5-years-of-b...

Book bans are no longer just targeting stories. They’re targeting information itself. Our newest article explores PEN America’s alarming findings that bans on nonfiction books have doubled in schools. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_shift_fr...

This heartfelt middle grade novel by Ashley Herring Blake explores grief, identity, friendship, and what it means to finally feel seen. Banning books about LGBTQ+ kids does not protect children. It tells some children their experiences are too unacceptable to even be acknowledged. #FreedomToRead

Real horror is not kids reading books. Real horror is limiting ideas, silencing voices, and leaving library shelves empty. Every child deserves the chance to discover stories that inspire curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking. #BooksNotBans #FreedomToRead

A new report from PEN America shares that the rate of book bans for nonfiction has doubled, leading to what they claim is “anti-intellectualism.” When NF books are banned, students lose access to history, lived experiences, journalism, science & the tools to better understand the world around them.

Libraries deserve to be places where every reader feels seen, welcomed, and safe. 🌈 This thoughtful article from Book Riot explores how libraries can prepare for Pride Month while supporting LGBTQ+ communities in the face of growing censorship challenges. bookriot.com/how-to-prepa...

In a new report, PEN America documents a doubling of censorship of nonfiction in public schools on subjects from history and health to general knowledge as book ban campaigns “embrace anti-intellectualism." pen.org/press-releas...

Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America's Freedom to Read program, told PW that the new report “pushes back on the prevailing narrative around the book ban movement, that it's removing harmful, obscene, or inappropriate material. We know that to not be true.” www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

Who gets to decide what’s “age appropriate” for every child? Our newest article explores how book restriction laws often concentrate power in the hands of a few while limiting access for everyone else. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/who_decides_...

Maya Angelou’s powerful memoir tells the story of growing up Black in America, confronting racism, trauma, identity, and resilience with honesty and grace. Yes, it includes difficult moments. That's exactly why it matters. #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #ReadBannedBooks #MayaAngelou

Want to turn your concern into action? Download our free digital workbook, “Turning the Page: An Advocate’s Guide to the Freedom to Read.” Inside, you’ll find practical tools to help you speak up, stay informed, and make a real impact in your community. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_...

Big news! An old favorite is coming back… Pizza Hut’s Book It Program!! Help your kids stay motivated, track their progress, and earn free pizza along the way. 🍕 Be sure to download the app to make goals and track progress. Books + Pizza = Win #summerreading #bookit

What if the people fighting book bans didn’t just defend libraries, but helped shape the laws themselves? This article highlights librarians stepping into public office in 2026 and why their voices matter now more than ever. bookriot.com/librarians-r...

Our newest article shares creative ways to deepen comprehension—from dramatic performances to playlists and debates—helping readers connect, think critically & explore big ideas together. It’s a powerful reminder that reading isn’t passive. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/beyond_the_p...

It might surprise you that The Giver is often banned. Challenged for tackling control, choice, and individuality, it pushes readers to think critically and question authority. That’s the point. Banning it doesn’t protect readers, it limits the thinking it was written to inspire.

Ready to stretch your reading life? Try this Exploration Checklist and step outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to love everything you read, but every new perspective expands your world. Which box will you check first?

Read what moves you. Read what challenges you. Read what simply makes you happy. There’s no “right” list, no approval required, and nothing to be embarrassed about. The stories that matter are the ones that matter to you. Pick up the book that sparks your curiosity and don’t apologize for it.

This #NationalLibraryWeek, We Need Diverse Books is proud to announce that we’ve welcomed 21 school and classroom libraries from across the country into the Unbanned Book Network, assisting them in diversifying their collections and building out their student spaces!

Revisit key censorship stories shaping today’s fights over books, from librarian laws to media literacy: bookriot.com/book-censors...

Libraries are more than books. They’re access, opportunity, and community. But rising censorship is putting that at risk. Our newest article breaks down why libraries matter now more than ever and what you can do to protect the freedom to read. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/national_lib...

Looking for Alaska is a powerful coming-of-age story that explores friendship, loss & the search for meaning. It speaks honestly to the complexity of growing up in a way that resonates deeply with teens. Banning books like this denies them the chance to explore real emotions in a safe way.

Things can feel pretty hopeless out there sometimes, but I need you to know that, yeah, even though we lose some fights, we also WIN a lot of fights. Here's some news from PEN American about 3 book ban bills we defeated IN FLORIDA.

How would you respond to this threat to the freedom to read? A little scenario with the book DRAMA... What would you do?

Censorship doesn’t always look like fire. Sometimes it looks like quiet removals, restricted access, or making books harder to find. When stories disappear, so do the voices, histories & ideas that shape understanding. This isn’t just about books. It’s about keeping critical thinking alive.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has helped millions of kids access books, but state funding challenges are putting that access at risk. This article breaks down what’s happening and why it matters for early literacy and equity. bookriot.com/dollys-imagi... #FreedomToRead #SupportLibraries

How does HR 7661 negatively impact our freedom to read? And what other federal legislation about the freedom to read is there? Our latest article explores these questions: www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_freedom_...

STELLA BY STARLIGHT is a powerful, age-appropriate story that helps young readers understand history, courage, and the fight for justice. Through Stella’s eyes, readers see the realities of racism alongside the strength of family, community, and hope. #booksnotbans

The Book-Loving Texan's Guide to the May 2026 School Board Elections is now LIVE! Please read it, share it, and bookmark it to help support anti-censorship candidates in Texas. And check back frequently! As always, I'll be updating it until election day (May 2). docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Want to stand up for the freedom to read? With legislation like H.R. 7661 shaping the future of access to books, contacting your members of Congress is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard. Your voice matters, and it helps shape the policies that affect our libraries and schools.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the backbone of library funding in the United States. It supports literacy programs, technology access, and essential resources for communities nationwide. Protecting IMLS means protecting access to information, opportunity, and the freedom to learn.

Alaska's Freedom to Read Bill continues forward! www.frontiersman.com/news/legisla...

Book bans don’t just affect shelves, they’re reshaping publishing, especially for children’s books and the stories that get told. This article explores how censorship pressures publishers and why it matters for young readers. bookriot.com/book-bans-an... #FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans

School libraries are more than books, they build critical thinking, equity, and opportunity. But they’re facing growing censorship and funding threats. Our article breaks down why it matters and how you can take action to protect access for all students. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/school_libra...

JULIÁN IS A MERMAID is a celebration of imagination, identity, and unconditional love. Through Julián’s joyful self-expression and his abuela’s quiet acceptance, the story shows kids that it’s okay to be exactly who they are. It’s gentle, affirming, and beautifully told.

Want to speak out against censorship but not sure where to start? If you like this content, get even more by downloading our FREE digital workbook on our website: www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_... #FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans