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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Why was Harriet the Spy challenged? Some adults thought Harriet was a poor role model because she spies, lies, and hurts others' feelings. But imperfect characters teach valuable lessons! BONUS: See an actual objector's notes and why one opinion shouldn't determine access for all.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Books can open the door to important conversations with our kids. Ask what they thought, how they felt, and why the author included a difficult topic. We can decide what’s right for our own families without removing books from everyone else. #FreedomToRead #RaisingReaders #BookBans

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

The numbers speak for themselves. PEN America documented 11,982 school book bans in 2025–26, the highest number it has recorded in a single school year. Behind every number is a book a student may no longer find on their school library shelf. #FreedomToRead #BookBans

bar graph of book bans by school year. 2025-26 had the largest amount of bans at 11,982

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Today’s featured book is FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury, a dystopian novel about a society where books are outlawed and burned to prevent people from encountering challenging ideas. Ironically, the novel itself has faced challenges and censorship over the years.

Fahrenheit 451 has been challenged for profanity, references to drugs, violence, and discussions of controversial social and political issues. Ironically, a novel warning about censorship and the suppression of ideas has itself faced attempts to restrict or alter its content.

FreedomToReadProject.org

Speak up publicly!

The freedom to read needs people willing to defend it. Send an email to your school or library board, attend a meeting and make a public comment, write a letter to the editor, or simply share why access to books matters to you on social media.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

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 · 07/10/2026

Today’s featured book is THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas, which follows 16-year-old Starr Carter after she witnesses a police officer fatally shoot her childhood friend. The book has been challenged for profanity, violence, drug references, and its discussions of racism and policing.

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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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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 action

banned 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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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.

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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

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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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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

TODAY is the day! If you’ve been looking for a way to make a difference in the fight for the freedom to read, don’t miss “Show Up, Speak Up: Vote for the Freedom to Read.”

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The freedom to read movement is stronger when we work together, and advocacy can be fun too! “Show Up, Speak Up: Vote for the Freedom to Read” is a chance to connect with fellow book lovers and advocates from across the country, celebrate the freedom to read, and turn that energy into action.

show up, speak up, vote for the freedom to read. september 24th 2-4 pm ET. a virtual community action telethon featuring judy blume and kat radley.

logos of organizations involved with the event

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Haven’t had time to take action for the freedom to read? This is your chance. We know life is busy. Maybe you’ve been following the headlines, worrying about book bans, and meaning to contact your representatives or get more involved, but you just haven’t gotten around to it.

two days to go. get ready to take action for the freedom to read

Show Up, Speak Up! September 24 from 2-4 pm ET. A virtual community action telethon featuring Judy Blume and Kat Radley from the Daily Show.

a grassroots event organized by a long list of organizations

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Show up. Speak up. Stand up for the freedom to read. Join freedom to read advocates from across the country on Thursday, September 24 at 2 p.m. ET for “Show Up, Speak Up: Vote for the Freedom to Read,” a FREE virtual event celebrating books, authors, readers, and the power of civic engagement.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

MILO IMAGINES THE WORLD is a beautiful picture book about imagination, empathy, and the assumptions we make about other people. Challenges have cited its depiction of an incarcerated parent and an illustration in which Milo imagines two women getting married.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Want to fight book bans but aren’t sure where to start? “Turning the Page: An Advocate’s Guide to the Freedom to Read” gives you the information and tools you need to move from concern to action. Download your FREE copy today: www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_...

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Book banning can be confusing, especially when terms like “challenge,” “removal,” “parental rights,” and “First Amendment” get thrown into the same conversation. So we’re answering five of the most common questions about book bans. Knowledge is one of our best tools against censorship.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is funny, messy, irreverent, and deeply human. It tackles friendship, grief, illness, and growing up with humor and honesty. Difficult stories belong on shelves, too. Not every book is for every reader. That’s what choice is for. #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Supporting the freedom to read doesn’t have to cost a thing. You don’t need to make a donation or have hours of free time to make a difference. Small actions. Zero dollars. Real impact. The freedom to read belongs to all of us, and protecting it can start with something small today. #FreedomToRead

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Too often, protecting young people is used as a reason to limit what they can read. But books give teens a safe place to encounter difficult realities, explore unfamiliar experiences, and better understand the world around them. Young people don't need to be shielded from every complicated story.

“Too many adults wish to ‘protect’ teenagers when they should be stimulating them to read of life as it is lived.” -Margaret A Edwards

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

WE ARE NOT YET EQUAL gives teen readers a powerful look at American history, examining how progress toward Black equality has repeatedly been met with political and institutional resistance. It tackles Reconstruction, Jim Crow, school integration, voting rights, the War on Drugs, and more.

cover of we are not yet equal: understanding our racial divide

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Send your school media specialist/librarian a quick note letting them know there are parents and families who value diverse, inclusive library collections and support their professional expertise. Check out this template to make it easy for you!

Send a supportive letter to the media specialist/school librarian. check out our template

Subject: Thank You for Supporting Our School Library

Hi [Librarian’s Name],

I wanted to reach out and let you know that our family values a school library with a wide variety of books, perspectives, and experiences for students to explore.

Thank you for using your professional expertise to build a collection that serves all students. Please know there are parents in our community who support you and believe students deserve the freedom to read and choose books that interest them.

If there are ways families can help support the library or advocate for its collection, I’d be happy to hear them.

Thank you for everything you do for our students and readers!

Best,
[Your Name]

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The numbers tell a story that headlines often miss. Book banning isn’t simply about individual parents objecting to individual books. Organized pressure, government action, and sweeping policies are reshaping what readers can access across the country.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

THE COLOR PURPLE is a powerful story of survival, resilience, love, and finding your voice. Alice Walker confronts difficult realities because they are essential to Celie’s journey. Difficult stories help us understand difficult truths. This book belongs on shelves. #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks

cover of the color purple by alice walker

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Independent reading gives kids something powerful: choice. Even when books explore difficult or controversial topics, young people deserve opportunities to encounter new perspectives, ask questions, and think for themselves. Let kids read, think, question, and choose. #FreedomToRead #LetKidsRead

young people who read for pleasure are 5 times more likely to read above grade level

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Libraries serve everyone, and protecting the freedom to read means trusting the trained professionals who build and maintain their collections. Anti-book ban legislation helps ensure decisions about what belongs on library shelves are guided by professional standards, not political pressure.

Freedom to read/anti-boon ban laws are a reminder that libraries represent the whole of a community, and that library workers are professionals who deserve to be respected as such. Kelly Jensen for book riot

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

BEYOND MAGENTA lets six transgender and gender-nonconforming young people tell their own stories about identity, family, school, and growing up. Removing it doesn’t make transgender youth disappear. It removes an opportunity for understanding, empathy, and connection. #FreedomToRead #LetTeensRead

cover of beyond magenta: transgender teens speak out

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Like this Censorship Tracker? It’s just one of the practical resources in our FREE digital workbook, “Turning the Page: An Advocate’s Guide to the Freedom to Read.” Inside, you’ll find even more tools to help you take action to protect the freedom to read. FreedomToReadProject.org/turning_the_page

censorship tracking: Some advocates find it useful to track detailed information about the titles challenged in their community. If this is something you choose to do, consider collecting the following: title/author, location, objection info, review status, decisions, and impact

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Who is actually challenging books? In 2025, 92% of book challenges came from pressure groups, government officials, and other decision-makers. Less than 3% came from individual parents. Book banning is often framed as a wave of parental concern. The data tells a very different story.

in 2025, less than 3% of book challenges originated from individual parents

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

FAHRENHEIT 451 remains one of the most enduring novels about censorship, and one of the books that has itself been challenged and removed from schools. Some objections have focused on its profanity, violence, sexual references, and themes of rebellion.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Celebrate the freedom to read with a community book exchange! 📚 Bring readers together to discover new books, share favorites, and connect through stories. Every book exchanged has the power to spark curiosity, build empathy, and inspire a lifelong love of reading. #FreedomToRead

recipe for a freedom to read book exchange

What you'll need: ✔️ A welcoming community space
✔️ Readers of all ages
✔️ Books to swap or share
✔️ Diverse stories and perspectives
✔️ Good conversation
✔️ A little creativity

Step 1: Gather the books. Invite participants to bring one or more
books to exchange.

Encourage books that:
Reflect diverse experiences
Introduce new perspectives
Inspired meaningful conversations
Have made a lasting impact

Step 2: Create community. A book exchange is about more than
swapping books.

It's an opportunity to:
Meet fellow readers
Share recommendations
Celebrate the joy of reading
Discover stories outside your own experience

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

The freedom to read starts with the freedom to think. When governments restrict ideas or limit access to information, those decisions rarely stop there. Protecting the freedom to read protects everyone's right to question, learn, and think for themselves. #FreedomToRead

Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear. -Harry S. Truman

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Teachers rarely hear from parents who support intellectual freedom. A kind, respectful message reminds them they have allies in the community. A simple email can go a long way. #FreedomToRead #RightToRead #SupportTeachers #Libraries #Education

back to school. connect with teachers about the freedom to read. sending a polite message.

sample email: I appreciate the work you do for our students. I also want you to know that access to diverse books and the freedom to read are important to my family. Thank you for fostering a classroom where students can explore ideas, build empathy, and develop critical thinking skills.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

More than 2 out of every 3 book challenges ended in removal in 2025. According to the ALA, 66% of challenged books were ultimately banned, the highest rate since tracking began in 1990. When review becomes removal, students lose access to diverse ideas. #FreedomToRead

ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom documented 5,668 books banned from libraries (66% of the total challenged) in 2025. This is both the highest number of titles censored in one year and the highest rate of challenges resulting in censorship from 1990–2025.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

THE LOVELY BONES is a powerful exploration of grief, love, trauma & healing. It invites readers to grapple with difficult realities while honoring the resilience of those left behind. Books that tackle painful subjects are opportunities for empathy, reflection & conversation.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

An informed public is essential to a healthy democracy. We hope this guide helps you better understand how education policy takes shape and where you can participate along the way. #FreedomToRead #CivicEducation #EducationPolicy #SchoolBoards #PublicEducation #KnowYourGovernment #DemocracyInAction

Step 6: Agencies write the rules. Laws often set broad requirements.

Education agencies or school boards at the federal or state level may then create rules explaining:

How the law will be implemented
Required procedures
Timelines
Guidance for schools

This process often includes opportunities for public input.

Step 7: Local schools districts implement it. Districts develop policies and procedures to comply with new law.

School boards may vote on:

New policies
Curriculum procedures
Library policies
Staff training
Administrative practices

Where can you have a voice? You don't have to wait until a local policy is passed to comply with the law.

You can:

• Contact legislators
• Attend committee hearings
• Speak at school board meetings
• Submit comments during rulemaking
• Vote in local, state, and federal elections

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Understanding this process helps you know where your voice can make a difference. Whether you contact your legislators, attend a school board meeting, submit public comments, or simply stay informed, civic engagement is most effective when you know how decisions are made.

Step 3: Committee review. Committees study the bill before the full legislature votes.

They may:

Hear public testimony
Debate the proposal
Amend the language
Vote to move it forward or stop it

Many bills never make it out of committee.

Step 4: House and Senate votes. If approved by committee, the bill is debated and voted on by both legislative chambers.

For a bill to pass:

House approves
Senate approves

If the chambers pass different versions, they must agree on the final language.

Step 5: The leader decides. The president (for federal) or governor (for state) can:

Sign the bill into law
Veto it
In some instances, allow it to become law without a signature

Only after this step does the bill become law.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Education laws don't appear overnight. They move through a series of steps: from an idea, to committee hearings, to legislative votes, to the president’s or governor's desk, and finally to implementation by state agencies and local school districts.

Step 1: Someone has an idea. A legislator proposes a bill to address an issue in education.

Ideas can come from:

Industry stakeholders (parents, educators, administrators)
Advocacy groups
Government agencies
Constituents

Step 2: The bill is introduced. The bill is assigned a number and officially filed.

It usually includes:

What the law would change
Who it affects
When it would take effect

At this point, it's only a proposal, not law.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

"Don't join the book burners." These words from President Dwight D. Eisenhower are just as relevant today. We don't preserve democracy by hiding difficult history or silencing ideas, we strengthen it by confronting them. The freedom to read protects our freedom to learn. #FreedomToRead

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Don't join the book burners. Don't think you're going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

THEY CALLED US ENEMY by George Takei is a powerful graphic memoir about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. When nonfiction books like this are removed from school libraries, students lose access to firsthand history & the chance to learn from our nation's past.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

School board elections matter & so do the questions we ask. Whether you're attending a candidate forum, meeting candidates in your community, or sending an email, asking thoughtful questions about the freedom to read can help voters better understand where candidates stand on the freedom to read.

Question ideas to ask school board candidates. Option 1: Can you share your views on the freedom to read? HOw will you ensure school libraries remain places where students can access diverse ideas?

Question ideas to ask school board candidates. Option 2: How will you protect students' First Amendment rights while respecting parents' ability to guide their own children's reading?

Question ideas to ask school board candidates. Option 3: What is your position on book challenges and the freedom to read in our school libraries?

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

This is not a coincidence. When stories representing marginalized communities are disproportionately targeted, students lose access to perspectives that foster empathy, understanding, and belonging. Every reader deserves to see themselves (and others) reflected on library shelves.

of the unique titles challenged in 2025, 39% represent the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and people of color. That's 1,671 books challenged.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL tells the true story of Sylvia Mendez's fight to end school segregation before Brown v. Board of Education. When books like this are challenged, students lose access to documented history and the chance to learn from those who changed our country.

cover of separate is never equal: sylvia mendez & her family's fight for desegregation

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Every purchase is a vote for the world you want to build. Support independent bookstores, borrow challenged books from your library, and invest in publishers and organizations defending the freedom to read. Every intentional choice helps keep diverse stories available for future readers.

Consumer activism: how to support the freedom to read with your purchasing power. buy books from independent bookstores. check out challenged titles from your library. support publishers committed to diverse voices. donate banned books. contribute to organizations defending intellectual freedom

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Protecting the freedom to read doesn't mean everyone has to agree with every book or every idea. It means defending the right to explore different perspectives, ask questions, and think critically. When we protect the freedom to read, we help protect the freedoms that make open dialogue possible.

"Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech." -Benjamin Franklin

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

J IS FOR JUSTICE: AN ACTIVISM ALPHABET encourages young readers to explore fairness, empathy, community, and civic engagement. Despite being a nonfiction picture book, it's one of many informational titles challenged or removed from schools.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Standing up for the freedom to read starts locally, but you don't have to do it alone. We have tips and resources for you whether you are new to advocacy or are a seasoned pro. Looking for info we don’t have yet? Let us know! We’ll do our best to get it to you.

Did you know...? A few facts about Freedom to Read Project

We are made up of concerned parents. This work is close to our hearts. We believe every child deserves the freedom to read, discover, and think for themselves--including our own.

We have over 70 articles on our site. From tips on writing op-eds to breaking down the latest research, we have a plethora of info at your fingertips.

We have a free digital workbook. Download Turning the Page: An Advocate's Guide to the Freedom to Read for free and get tips and resources for your activism

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