Heads up: a new federal bill (HR 7661) could limit books schools can buy with federal funds using a vague “sexually oriented” label. It risks broad censorship of LGBTQ+ and identity-focused titles. bookriot.com/hr7661-book-... #FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #CensorshipWatch

Curious how public records can be used to strengthen transparency, hold decision-makers accountable, and push for real policy change? Learn what to do once you receive records and how to make an impact. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/after_the_re...

Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel explores loneliness, anxiety, grief, and the need to belong. It gives teens language for hard feelings and opens space for empathy and conversation. Banning stories about mental health doesn’t protect kids, it isolates them. #FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #LetKidsRead

When emotions run high around books, it’s tempting to pull a title “just in case.” But constitutional rights don’t bend to pressure. We need clear policies, transparent processes, defined criteria, and appeals, not panic or politics. Due process protects students and democracy.

When parents can set reading limits for their own child, fewer than 10% choose to restrict access. Most families trust guidance and conversation, not bans. You can guide your child without deciding for mine. Protect choice. Trust librarians. Keep libraries open. #FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans

We just celebrated Presidents’ Day, a good time to remember the Founders believed democracy depends on access to ideas, not government control of them. Our newest piece explores why calling libraries “government speech” threatens the freedom to read. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_founders...

YA author Carolina Ixta talks about the power of books that explore justice, activism, and hope–and she shares six titles that will move and inspire teen readers: bookriot.com/carolina-ixt...

Book Bans Still Happen Loudly in States with Anti-Book Ban Laws If book banning is being crafted to circumvent Freedom to Read bills, it's beyond time to call this a public health crisis. buttondown.com/wellsourced/...

Little v. Llano County Legalized Library Censorship. What Exactly Does This Mean? Leila Green Little, lead plaintiff in Little v. Llano County, talks about what's happened since her case came to a close: bookriot.com/little-v-lla...

Writing in Miami New Times, Mitch Kaplan of Books & Books says that "Florida deserves better" than new laws seeking to expand book bans and deny students literature’s full context and value: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/opinion/florida-book-ban-bills-threaten-schools-and-literary-freedom-40524004/

Maya Angelou’s estate joins Utah lawsuit over the state’s school book bans www.kpcw.org/state-region...

The current standing of Utah's statewide banned books. These will make for some great material for our Read-In tomorrow. See you all at 3:30 p.m. at the Utah State Capitol :)

Censorship doesn’t start with empty shelves. It starts quietly: a “review,” a complaint, a social media push. Our latest from Freedom to Read Project explains the early warning signs and what to do before books disappear. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/early_signs_... #FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans

Love books? Believe everyone deserves to be reflected in stories? It’s Libraries Are for Lovers Week! We’re celebrating cozy corners, brilliant librarians & free access to stories for all. Follow us for tools to fight book bans, support libraries & spread bookish joy. Share if you’re already here.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein isn’t just about a dog, it’s about love, grief, resilience, and loyalty when life gets hard. It builds compassion and empathy, helps families talk about tough realities, and reminds readers how to keep going. That’s not inappropriate. That’s human.

On Monday, Cyfair ISD’s recently elected 4-3 pro-public ed majority took decisive action to walk back the removal of 13 TEA/SBOE approved textbook chapters, censored by their prior board majority. www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...

PEN America today is leading a delegation of nationally renowned writers to Texas A&M University in defense of academic freedom and free expression on campus. https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-leads-writer-delegation-to-texas-am-as-more-than-30-groups-push-back-on-campus-censorship/

Talking with your kids about books isn’t scary, it’s powerful. Books open doors. Conversations build trust. Ask what they think. Listen. Grow together. That’s not dangerous, that’s parenting. #FreedomToRead #RaiseReaders #BooksNotBans

Hey Georgia! Get on the horn to your state reps about this!

As a movement to ban books reaches the front doors of libraries across the country, librarians find themselves on the frontlines. Watch @independentlens.bsky.social @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social on the PBS YouTube Channel and PBS app starting February 9. www.pbs.org/independentl...

New proposals are popping up across the country that could protect (or threaten) what we can access in libraries and classrooms. Check out this clear breakdown of freedom-to-read bill proposals and what they mean for readers everywhere: bookriot.com/freedom-to-r...

As a movement to ban books reaches the front doors of libraries across the country, librarians find themselves on the frontlines. Watch @independentlens.bsky.social @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social on the PBS YouTube Channel and PBS app starting February 9. www.pbs.org/independentl...

Ready to turn your love of books into action? YOU can make a difference for the freedom to read! This guide is packed with simple, creative advocacy ideas to protect the freedom to read in your community. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turn_passion... #FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #LibraryAdvocacy

Every year, communities and schools come together to show their support for transgender and non-binary youth every February for the Welcoming Schools National Day of Reading. This year it's on February 27. If you're interested in hosting a reading fill out the form here:

A new bill in Tennessee would let any resident request the removal of books from public libraries, setting a dangerous precedent that could spread nationwide. This isn’t about protecting kids, it’s about controlling what everyone can read. www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer helps readers face grief, trauma, and healing with honesty and empathy. That’s not dangerous, that’s human. Let kids read. Let them feel. #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans

Got 5 minutes? Email your legislators. A few thoughtful messages can shape votes that protect our libraries. Be brief, say you’re a constituent, make a clear ask, share your story, follow up. Your voice matters. #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #Advocate

This isn't “parental choice.” It’s shelves emptied, stories erased & students cut off from ideas that help them learn, question & grow. Every removed book is a reader who won't see themselves reflected & narrows the world a little more. FL students deserve libraries full of possibility, not fear.

Despite the steady stream of bad news & tragic events, good stuff happens, and victories are won. Yesterday, Colorado notched another win in the courts

Teens deserve books that tackle real life: identity, grief, mental health, relationships. Honest stories build empathy and resilience. Censorship doesn’t protect kids, it limits them. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/why_teens_de...

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone builds empathy, critical thinking, and honest conversations about grief, justice, and growing up Black. That’s education, not danger. Let kids read. #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans

Don’t obey in advance. Pulling books “just in case” teaches power what it can take. Libraries should stand firm, not shrink. Don’t pre-ban. #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans

We're joining advocates in Colorado in celebrating a win for the freedom to read www.cpr.org/2026/01/22/e...

We are extremely disappointed to see that Tx Alamo Heights ISD cancelled @bartography.bsky.social school visit over a book he wasn't even planning to read to students! @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social @wgawest.bsky.social @americanbookseller.bsky.social www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/Texas-...

Have you grabbed our free digital workbook, Turning the Page? Get tips, scripts, tools, and worksheets to fight book bans and protect the freedom to read. Download: www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_page #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans

Teens growing up under widespread book bans are reading less and entering college at a disadvantage compared to peers with full access to books, studies show. Learn how censorship is impacting a generation’s literacy and opportunities. bookriot.com/the-generati...

Ever hear “just buy the book”? Our newest piece explains why that argument gets libraries exactly backwards and why equal access to ideas matters. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/what_the_lib... #FreedomToRead #LibrariesAreForEveryone

The Hate U Give helps young readers build empathy, critical thinking, and courage by engaging real-world issues with honesty and heart. Banning it doesn’t protect kids, it silences them. #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #TheHateUGive #LetKidsRead

Several AABB members spoke with The Hill about the impact of book bans on the industry. This piece raises big questions, not just for our leader in government, but for our leaders in publishing as well.

HB 1119 will get its first vote on 1/21 in the House Education Administration Subcommittee. This bill puts classic and award-winning literature at risk and creates a de facto statewide book ban, enforced through the threat of funding loss or other penalties. Email addresses in the video alt text.

One parent’s objection shouldn’t empty an entire library. If every “objectionable” word meant removal, shelves would be bare. Censorship never stops at one book. Public schools serve *all* students. #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans #LibrariesAreForEveryone #FirstAmendment

BREAKING: The Trump administration has filed an appeal over Rhode Island v. Trump, which barred the administration from further dismantling the IMLS. That, plus the IMLS propaganda-laden grant application period. bookriot.com/rhode-island...

MLK Day is about action. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Dr. King Book bans silence voices and deny students opportunity. Today, stand up for the freedom to read: support librarians, share challenged books, and speak out. #MLKDay #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans

There is no use in sugarcoating things. For higher education in America, 2025 was a year of catastrophe. Get all the details in PEN America's new report "America's Censored Campuses: Expanding the Web of Control" at: pen.org/report/ameri... #censorship #highereducation

This Book Riot article breaks down key legal fights shaping the freedom to read, from whether libraries can ban LGBTQ+ books to major state censorship lawsuits. These court battles will influence what stories stay accessible in schools and libraries. bookriot.com/court-cases-...

How can you have the biggest impact? Always bring a friend! Calling your electeds? Get a friend to do it too! Writing a letter to the editor? Get a friend to do it too! Attending a school board meeting? Well, you get it. Multiply your impact. Bring a friend to every action!

We had a wonderful time interviewing Angie Hayden and learning all about Read Freely Alabama and their work. Their grassroots advocacy shows how everyday people can defend intellectual freedom and keep libraries open and inclusive. www.freedomtoreadproject.org/_these_books...

THE MOON WITHIN by Aida Salazar is a tender, empowering story about growing up, friendship, and finding your voice. Banning it doesn’t protect kids, it takes away language, understanding, and empathy. Let kids read books that help them grow. #FreedomToRead #StopBookBans

When a law requires the prohibition of books from the library regardless of reader need or interest, parent/community support for access, and professional expertise - that law bans books and the legislators that supported the law made the book bans possible.

Small actions add up: read a challenged book, leave a public review, show up to one meeting, speak for one minute, or send one email. Each step builds momentum, visibility, and community and reminds decision-makers that people are paying attention.