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Florida Freedom to Read Project

@flfreedomread.bsky.social
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FL public school parents who believe in preserving access to information in public education and libraries. www.fftrp.org/florida_censorship_at…

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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 13h
…TX was one of the 20 states where their Attorneys General co-signed this amicus brief authored by Arkansas’ Attorney General in support of Florida’s “libraries are government speech” argument defending FL’s book ban law.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 13h
Note: It’s absolutely not about giving public school parents more control over what’s in their library. This is a narrative to sell a bill. There is evidence this is not true. Please see this post. TX was one of the states : bsky.app/profile/flfr...
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 15h
Today’s book is ANNE FRANK’S DIARY: THE GRAPHIC ADAPTATION. The graphic adaptation brings Anne's experiences hiding from the Nazis during the Holocaust to a new generation of readers. The book has faced challenges over sexual content & its visual depictions of passages from Anne’s diary.
banned book: Anne Frank's diary, the graphic adaptation. The graphic adaptation brings Anne’s experiences hiding from the Nazis during the Holocaust to a new generation of readers. The book has faced challenges over sexual content and its visual depictions of passages from Anne’s diary.call to action:Support an organization defending the freedom to read!

Organizations working against book bans rely on donations to provide resources, support local advocates, track censorship, and defend access to books. Choose an organization doing this work and make a donation today.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 18h
What can Frederick Douglass, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and The Handmaid’s Tale teach us about censorship? Our latest article explores how writers have long warned us about efforts to control information, restrict ideas, and silence voices. freedomtoreadproject.substack.com/p/they-told-...
freedomtoreadproject.substack.com
They Told Us What Censorship Looks Like. We Should Listen.
There is a reason dystopian novels so often begin with control over information.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 19h
All of this has always been about taking back power from a free people to decide what its current community standards are, and allowing politicians to decide what ideas, expression, and people are appropriate in our public spaces. You cannot pay attention one week out of the year.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 19h
“Parental rights” laws aren’t actually about parents having the authority to decide… “Allowing parents to raise an objection regarding material in a public-school library…does not change the fact that, at the end of the day, it is the government making the ultimate curation decision.”
Excerpt from an amicus brief filed by Arkansas’ Attorney General and co-signed by Attorneys General in 20 other states defending Florida’s “libraries are government speech” argument.


Full brief here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-zr45tkMnNV5TC6RbgUrwu-R85qfB1Y_/view?usp=drivesdk
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 19h
“The First Amendment's focus on religion was intentional: actions motivated by non-religious beliefs (be they philosophical, political, ideological, or social) do not receive the same protection.” This is why laws that prohibit descriptions of sexual conduct in the library don’t apply to the Bible.
An excerpt from the legal opinion offered by Florida’s current Attorney General in support of publicly funded religious charter schools.

Read the full brief here: https://www.myfloridalegal.com/sites/default/files/From%20the%20desk%20documents/opinion-4.2.26.pdf
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 19h
These arguments have appeared in white papers and legal briefs for all to see. “Natural rights…(1) give us the liberty to pursue what reason tells us is good, right, and just and (2) provide us with protection against those who want to force us to do what is evil, wrong, and unjust.”
Excerpt from a white paper written by Samuel Gregg for The Heritage Foundation.

Herein lies a major reason American conservatives ought to pay attention to the Founders' important conception of natural rights derived from natural law. Not only does this constellation of ideas put principled-as opposed to pragmatic-limits on state power, but it also reminds us that the idea of natural rights and self-government is intimately connected to living a life of virtue rather than vice. Natural rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness are thus not a warrant to do whatever we want, whenever we want. Instead, they (1) give us the liberty to pursue what reason tells us is good, right, and just and (2) provide us with protection against those who want to force us to do what is evil, wrong, and unjust.

Full paper here:

https://www.heritage.org/american-history/report/why-the-american-founding-matters-american-conservatism
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 19h
This is what it is all about for many of the book banners—the ones that still fight to remove books long after universal vouchers are passed and they can take public money to educate their kids how they see fit. “Parental rights” are only meant to apply to those they deem morally fit to have them.
Screenshot from the person behind the RatedBooks website. It includes pictures of a school board member being sworn in with her hand over banned books instead of the Bible.

Her caption reads:

Our culture cannot survive the annihilation of its virtue

A people with no moral code are not capable of governing themselves. This issue is not just about books, it's about preserving our marvelous heritage and culture for our children. Our unique system of government requires a distinct moral compass.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
“Parents decide what their own children read, not what all children can access,” DCPS parent, Mandy Rubin. The debate comes as FL school districts continue reviewing library materials under state laws governing age appropriateness & prohibited content. www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news...
firstcoastnews.com
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Perfect for banned books week!
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
This week, we worked with @penamerica.bsky.social to send an open letter to Commissioner Mack and the superintendents of our public schools. The letter calls for transparency, a thorough review process, and outlines our concerns with Commissioner Mack’s 9/23 memo- www.fldoe.org/file/20966/c...
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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
This year’s #BannedBooksWeek coincides with ALA’s official 150th anniversary. To mark the occasion, ALA has released a list of the 150 most challenged books documented from 1990, when ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom began tracking book challenges, through 2025. ala150.org/150books
Photo of a bookshelf filled with various books that have been banned or challenged, including "Maus," "Sex Is a Funny Word," "This Book Is Gay," "Persopolis," and "1984." Text over photo reads: "ALA Releases List of 150 Books Most Frequently Targeted for Censorship Since Tracking Began. American Library Association logo
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Duval Board votes tonight: 5-2 to remove 1984: The Graphic Novel 7-0 to remove: Misery (Stephen King) Handle With Care (Jodi Picoult) The Tenth Circle (Jodi Picoult) duvalcosb.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3421/f...
duvalcosb.portal.civicclerk.com
Public Portal • CivicClerk
CivicClerk events and agendas for citizens
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We Need Diverse Books @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
It’s #BannedBooksWeek, which means it’s the perfect time to dispel common myths and misconceptions about the prevalence and impacts of book bans across the United States. Here are five common myths about book banning that everyone should know the truth about 🧵
Gold-colored graphic depicting an illustration of a group of young people lounging in a book store, sitting on the hardwood floor, and reading books together. There are illustrations of bookshelves decorated with books, knick knacks, plants, and cactuses in the background. The graphic is titled “5 Myths You Should Know About Book Banning”.
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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
This podcast has been a real delight to put together, and today's episode was so full of joy and hope–I cannot tell you how cool it was to talk to Marley as a (young) adult!
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Thank you for the correction. There are a lot of books that have come under challenge and have been removed in some school districts despite very few copies in the public libraries. Glad to hear you found your needed copies!
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Censorship in our public schools is only the beginning. Thank you for reading banned books as a club and discussing these issues!
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The state is also arguing in court that any publicly funded library is full of the government’s speech - not speech by and for the people. This means they are arguing that Americans do not have a First Amendment right to receive ideas free from government censorship in school and public libraries.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Yup! At the same time that book banners scream “you can just get it at the public library” the state is working to pass amendment 3 which will starve local public libraries of the funding they need to shelve copies of these books and staff their libraries appropriately.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
TODAY’S ACTION: Thank a librarian! Librarians do so much more than put books on shelves. Take a few minutes today to email, message, or stop by and thank a school or public librarian for the work they do. A little support can go a long way.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Banned Books Week continues! Today’s featured book is ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE by George M. Johnson, a memoir about growing up Black and queer and finding your identity. The book has been frequently challenged for its discussions of sexuality, sexual experiences, and LGBTQ+ identity.
All Boys Aren’t Blue is a memoir in which George M. Johnson shares personal essays about growing up Black and queer and finding their identity.

All Boys Aren’t Blue is frequently challenged for its discussions of sexuality, sexual experiences, and LGBTQ+ identity.
Librarians do so much more than put books on shelves. They help readers find information, build collections that serve their communities, and navigate challenges to intellectual freedom.

Take a few minutes today to email, message, or stop by and thank a school or public librarian for the work they do. A little support can go a long way.

FreedomToReadProject.org
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Ryan Estrada @ryanestrada.com · 06/10/2026
It happens every #BannedBooksWeek. No, you don't wish your book were banned.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Banned Books Week is here! Every day this week, we’ll spotlight a banned or challenged book AND share a simple action you can take to help protect the freedom to read.
banned books week. october 4-10. follow along to see banned books and calls to actionbanned book of the day: the bluest eye by toni morrison. banned for its depictions of sexual violence, child abuse, and racism.
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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
New state censorship laws accounted for much of the increase, coupled with the use of artificial intelligence to remove books, and improved grassroots reporting by @txfreedomread.bsky.social and @flfreedomread.bsky.social. #BannedBooks #BannedBooksWeek
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
TX and FL have a few things in common: bad legislation, threatening state leadership, and volunteer, public school parent-led organizations combing through public records to try to document as much as we can so voters know the truth. Vote for the freedom to read and learn in November.
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Martha Hickson @sassylibrarian.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
If you enjoyed our little ditty, be sure to check out the list against which Henry wants FL schools to “audit” their classroom & school libraries. These are the nearly 1,300 unique titles challenged in FL during the last 4 school years. Absolutely crazy 🤪 tinyurl.com/FLUniqueTitles
tinyurl.com
FL Unique Titles Challenged 2022-2026
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
“He didn’t change the law,” Gallo told VoxPopuli in a phone interview, in reference to Mack’s memo. “He set forth expectations, but the law is still the law in place.” Orange County Public Schools already has a “robust policy” in place… www.wintergardenvox.com/articles/inc...
wintergardenvox.com
Incoming Orange County school board chair says new directive to remove books ahead of complaints will not alter OCPS practice | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL
Newly elected chair Angie Gallo says OCPS has a “robust policy” in place and is in compliance with state law.
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Martha Hickson @sassylibrarian.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Doug and I kicked off #BannedBooksWeek by recording a new song, dedicated to Florida Freedom to Read Project, role models for resistance and persistence. This is for you, @flfreedomread.bsky.social, with admiration, respect, and love 🫡 🙌 😘
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
What a way to kick off Banned Books Week! Most of our schools won’t recognize this week down here, but we will be spending it sifting through PRRs and tracking the impacts of this letter. Thanks for giving us something to sing while we work! You’re the best!
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Are you registered to vote in November’s election? Have you checked your status? Tomorrow is the deadline. Make sure you’re registered and make your plan to vote (for the freedom to read). www.clickorlando.com/election-202...
clickorlando.com
Florida voter registration deadline is Monday. How to make sure you can vote in the midterm election
Oct. 5 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election in Florida. Now is a good time to check your voter registration and make sure you are eligible to vote in Florida.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
“Please give particular consideration to the recommended 90-day plan beginning on page five of the memo. While voluntary, it is a practical sequence I except (sic) districts to execute.” Expecting something to happen that you also say is voluntary in the same sentence is a choice.
Screenshot of a that accompanied the Commissioner’s letter sent last week on 9/23 to superintendents, charter school leaders, and board members

Please see the attached memo on the Selection, Review, and Maintenance of School Library and Classroom materials. The memo restates the statutory duty for every title used in a classroom, placed in a school or classroom library, or included on a reading list. In short, the “reactive review” —waiting for a parent to discover explicit material and
read it into the public record-is not compliance; it must end.

Please give particular consideration to the recommended 90-day plan beginning on page five of the memo. While voluntary, it is a practical sequence I except districts to execute.

Henry


Henry Mack, Ed.D.
Commissioner
Florida Department of Education
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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
How and why to support independent media–something more important than ever right now. That, plus this week's book censorship news: bookriot.com/how-and-why-...
bookriot.com
How and Why to Support Independent Media: Book Censorship News, October 2, 2026
Maintaining a robust media landscape requires understanding how and why to support independent media.
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Education Week @edweek.org · 02/10/2026
Federal Education Tax Credit Rules Are Finally Here. What We Know So Far: The Treasury Department unveiled regulations governing a massive infusion of education funding nationwide.
edweek.org
Federal Education Tax Credit Rules Are Finally Here. What We Know So Far
The Treasury Department unveiled regulations governing a massive infusion of education funding nationwide.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
“Experience running a school wasn’t needed. No one from any of the states asked us about our backgrounds or qualifications, though West Virginia did ask for proof of a high school diploma. No one questioned what we plan to teach or how we would measure whether students are learning.”
propublica.org
Almost Anyone Can Start a Private School. We Put This to the Test.
Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hur...
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
If you can’t make one of these “listening sessions,” you can also go through each standard and submit your comments online using the state’s standards review site. www.wusf.org/education/20...
wusf.org
Evolution and climate change are missing from Florida's proposed K-12 science standards
The Florida Department of Education held its first listening session at Armwood High School. Some teachers brought up their concerns about missing topics, such as evolution.
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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
So many great voices and perspectives here. Love seeing my pal, neighbor, and fellow anti-censorship champion Holly, too.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Who pays the price when the state takes book decisions away from local communities? Florida’s public-school students and families. Our latest article looks at whose voices are being elevated, what parents actually choose & why local control matters. freedomtoreadproject.substack.com/p/who-pays-t...
freedomtoreadproject.substack.com
Who Pays the Price When the State Takes Book Decisions Away from Local Communities?
Last week, Florida Commissioner of Education Henry Mack sent a seven-page memorandum to every school district superintendent and charter school leader in the state.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“Young children often don’t quite realize that they can choose any book they want until it has been scanned and handed back to them. Then, Husby says, ‘Their smiles are like pure sunshine.’ Some hold the book up to show classmates and teachers.” www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/Teachi...
schoollibraryjournal.com
Teaching About the Freedom To Read Starts Early
Young children may not understand censorship or the First Amendment, but librarians say they already understand the basic tenets of intellectual freedom: choice, fairness, curiosity—and that different...
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The media was quick to jump on the “parental rights” narrative, but largely ignored all the public school parents accurately warning, “Wolf!” Where was this article in 2022? apple.news/AlV1XcZNvQMi...
apple.news
How the Culture War Put Public Schools at Risk — The Atlantic
Allegations about “woke nonsense” imperiled a crucial source of Americans’ common identity.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“In 2022, the Heritage Foundation urged the voucher movement “to embrace the culture war” as a way of promoting school choice.” Tell us something we didn’t already know.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY has been introducing young readers to the Logan family & the realities of racism in 1930s Mississippi for nearly 50 years. Through Cassie’s eyes, readers encounter injustice, courage, family, dignity, and the determination to stand up for yourself & the people you love.
cover of roll of thunder hear my cry
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"Instead of allowing concerns about particular books to move through established local processes, the state is using funding threats to silence local stakeholders and impose its own preferences from Tallahassee." www.tallahassee.com/story/news/s...
tallahassee.com
Free speech groups warn new education orders will expand book bans
A national free speech group is warning that a new directive from Florida's education chief would prompt more book bans.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Banned Books Week is coming! Oct. 4–10, we’re celebrating the freedom to read and shining a light on censorship in schools and libraries. Follow along for challenged books, resources, and ways to turn awareness into action. #BannedBooksWeek #FreedomToRead #ReadFreely
banned books week october 4-10
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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
PEN America and @flfreedomread.bsky.social are warning that a new Department of Education directive could turn Florida’s already troubling book censorship into a “dragnet” expanding book removals from school libraries and classrooms. pen.org/press-releas...
pen.org
New Florida State Education Directive Threatens to Expand Book Removals in Schools
(MIAMI) — PEN America and the Florida Freedom to Read Project expressed alarm today over a new Department of Education directive that could turn the state’s already troubling book censorship into a “d...
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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Utah added SEVEN more books to its state-mandated book ban list. Six of those titles are by women. 44 are now banned. This comes the week after a judge permitted a lawsuit brought against their book banning law to proceed. It's the busiest banning year for the state. bookriot.com/utah-bans-44...
bookriot.com
Utah Bans 7 More Books From All Public Schools; 44 Titles Now Banned Statewide
Last week, a judge approved a lawsuit against Utah's state-sanctioned book bans. This week, the state banned seven more books.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We were thrilled to hear Judy Blume speak at our event last week! Her reminder: Keep speaking out because someone is always hearing it for the first time. The event is over, but the work isn’t. Take action at nobookbans.org. Keep showing up. Keep speaking up. #FreedomToRead #NoBookBans
Judy Blume quote: Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won't have as much censorship because we won't have as much fear.
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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Which means no need for accountability to the public. www.sltrib.com/news/educati...
sltrib.com
For this Utah school board, book ban decisions are now considered ‘routine’ business — no public discussion necessary
The Davis School District sees so many book removals, state officials determined its board doesn’t need to publicly discuss appeal decisions.
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Pinellas is the second district to publicly acknowledge that it is acting on the Commissioner’s memo despite 99.6% of Pinellas students having ZERO parental restrictions on their access last year and the last citizen objection was about a year ago to a picture book. www.tampabay.com/news/educati...
tampabay.com
Pinellas removes books named in state memo. Except ‘The Bluest Eye.’
A roundup of Florida education news from around the state
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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
In fact, these districts have modified their objection procedures to limit actual public school parent involvement, and none of them consider the books in their entirety. These changes happened after the fuller committee review process resulted in too many decisions to retain the books.
What's missing?
The state only reports removals or restrictions after formal objections, so you won't see the hundreds of books pressured off shelves by the state.What's missing?

They also don't disclose when a book is retained after objection, or identify when a Board overturns a committee decison to retain.

(Yes, they collect this information from the districts.)THE COMMISSIONER'S FUNDING THREATS MEAN LESS LOCAL CONTROL, LESS TRANSPARENCY, AND LESS VOICE FOR ACTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS.WHILE DISTRICTS CLOSE SCHOOLS AND CUT STAFF, THESE DISTRACTIONS COME AT A COST, AND OUR KIDS PAY THE PRICE.
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