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Freedom to Read Project

@freedomreadproject.bsky.social
1.8K followers 23 following 536 posts

Parent-led nonprofit dedicated to protecting access to information in our schools and public libraries. www.freedomtoreadproject.org

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Reposted by Freedom to Read Project
TX FReadom Fighters @freadomfighters.bsky.social · 14h
Should one person control every Texas library? We don't think so. Our latest Substack post. @penamerica.bsky.social @uabookbans.bsky.social txfreadomfighters.substack.com/p/should-one...
txfreadomfighters.substack.com
Should one person control every Texas reader?
We don’t think so...
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 17h
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 · 17h
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
TODAY’S ACTION: Read a banned book! Check one out from your library or purchase a copy, then leave a positive review when you’re finished. Supporting challenged books also means supporting the authors who wrote them. #BannedBooksWeek #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #TheBluestEye #ReadBannedBooks
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
We’re starting with Toni Morrison’s THE BLUEST EYE, frequently challenged for its depictions of sexual violence, child abuse, and racism.
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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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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
At a time when access to information is increasingly under threat, independent journalists are doing essential work investigating censorship, tracking book bans, and telling stories that might otherwise go uncovered. How and why to support: 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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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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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Those difficult elements are part of a story confronting the brutal realities of segregation & racism, not celebrating them. ROLL OF THUNDER gives young readers an opportunity to encounter that history through the experiences of a Black family fighting to maintain its land, dignity & independence.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Objections have focused on its racial slurs, racist language, depictions of racial violence, and concerns about how that content affects students. In 2002, it was among the American Library Association’s ten most challenged books, and it has been removed from required reading in some schools.
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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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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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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 · 25/09/2026
Reading for pleasure benefits brain health, cognition, and well-being. Yet book restrictions and funding challenges continue limiting access. If we want lifelong readers, we need to protect their freedom to read. freedomtoreadproject.substack.com/p/reading-is...
freedomtoreadproject.substack.com
Reading Is Good for Our Brains. So Why Are We Making Books Harder to Access?
For years, those who defend the freedom to read have argued that access to books matters.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Join advocates from across the country TODAY to connect, take action, and make your voice heard. Protecting our schools and libraries takes all of us, and every call, message, conversation, and vote can help build a stronger movement. TODAY | 2–4 p.m. ET Virtual and FREE nobookbans.org
nobookbans.org
Join a star-studded lineup of authors and influencers to champion the freedom to read. Sign up now!
Join a virtual variety show featuring a star-studded lineup of freedom to read champions celebrating books, authors, and readers. We’ll SHOW UP by making a plan to vote, then SPEAK UP by calling our representatives and sharing our commitment to the Freedom to Read.
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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
Come meet people who care about the same things you do, enjoy a fun virtual event, and leave feeling more connected to a nationwide community working to protect access to books and information. Bring a friend and join us! September 24 | 2–4 p.m. ET Virtual and FREE nobookbans.org
nobookbans.org
Join a star-studded lineup of authors and influencers to champion the freedom to read. Sign up now!
Join a virtual variety show featuring a star-studded lineup of freedom to read champions celebrating books, authors, and readers. We’ll SHOW UP by making a plan to vote, then SPEAK UP by calling our representatives and sharing our commitment to 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.
1 day until show up, speak outshow 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
Join advocates from across the country for a FREE virtual event where we’ll come together, make a plan to vote, contact our representatives, and take meaningful action to support the freedom to read. September 24 | 2–4 p.m. ET Virtual and FREE nobookbans.org
nobookbans.org
Join a star-studded lineup of authors and influencers to champion the freedom to read. Sign up now!
Join a virtual variety show featuring a star-studded lineup of freedom to read champions celebrating books, authors, and readers. We’ll SHOW UP by making a plan to vote, then SPEAK UP by calling our representatives and sharing our commitment to the Freedom to Read.
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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 readShow 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
This virtual variety show will feature a lineup of freedom to read champions. Together, participants will make a plan to vote, contact their representatives, and speak up in support of the freedom to read. September 24 | 2–4 p.m. ET Virtual and FREE nobookbans.org
nobookbans.org
Join a star-studded lineup of authors and influencers to champion the freedom to read. Sign up now!
Join a virtual variety show featuring a star-studded lineup of freedom to read champions celebrating books, authors, and readers. We’ll SHOW UP by making a plan to vote, then SPEAK UP by calling our representatives and sharing our commitment to the Freedom to Read.
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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 · 18/09/2026
This new report from Book Riot takes a look at the past five years of censorship and the ongoing fight for the freedom to read. We’re proud that two members of the Freedom to Read Project team contributed to the report, sharing insight from our work on the ground. bookriot.com/book-censors...
bookriot.com
“We Need To Tell The Story”: Literary Advocates Nationwide Reflect On Five Years of Relentless Attacks on the Freedom to Read
Advocates for the freedom to read across the country share their wins, challenges, and opportunities as the work enters year six.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Feeling overwhelmed by threats to the freedom to read? There are things you can do right now. Show up. Organize. Demand good policies. Support librarians. Follow the legal battles. You don’t have to do everything. Pick your piece and start there. freedomtoreadproject.substack.com/p/what-can-i...
freedomtoreadproject.substack.com
What Can I Do Now to Protect Our Schools and Libraries From Threats to the Freedom to Read?
For the past five years, we have watched threats to the freedom to read evolve.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Children with incarcerated parents deserve to see their families represented in books. Children with LGBTQ+ families deserve that too. And all children benefit from stories that encourage them to look beyond appearances and approach other people with curiosity and compassion.
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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.
cover of milo imagines the world
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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 · 12/09/2026
Register now to be a part of this fun event! You don’t have to plan to stay for the full two hours. We’ll have a special community call-to-action every thirty minutes during the event!
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
When librarians are fired for defending books and the freedom to read, they’re fighting back in court and winning. These cases show why standing up for intellectual freedom matters. bookriot.com/librarians-s...
bookriot.com
Librarians Suing Over Wrongful Termination for Defending Books Are Winning: Book Censorship News, September 11, 2026
Librarians who've been fired for not banning books and sued are winning settlements in their cases.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The Librarians won an Emmy. But the fight it documents is far from over. Book bans, censorship & attacks on librarians continue across the country. Our latest article looks at why this moment deserves celebration & why we can’t stop paying attention. freedomtoreadproject.substack.com/p/the-librar...
freedomtoreadproject.substack.com
The Librarians Won an Emmy. The Fight It Documents Is Far From Over.
This weekend, The Librarians won the Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking, a well-deserved recognition for a film that has helped bring the reality of modern book censorship to audienc...
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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
cover of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
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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 · 04/09/2026
Looking for a deeper understanding of book censorship? This Book Riot roundup revisits 14 important pieces exploring book bans, censorship tactics, and the ongoing fight for intellectual freedom. bookriot.com/14-book-cens... #FreedomToRead #BookBans
bookriot.com
14+ Book Censorship Posts to Revisit: Book Censorship News, September 4, 2026
From building a group that defends the right to read to exploring what's meant by "book censorship," catch up on past book censorship posts.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Have you subscribed to our Substack yet? We are posting our weekly articles there. Check out our newest article that dives into "government speech" and how this impacts local decisions on censorship. freedomtoreadproject.substack.com/p/when-gover...
freedomtoreadproject.substack.com
When “Government Speech” Does Not Mean Your Local Government
We have written before about a legal argument gaining traction in book-ban litigation: the claim that decisions about which books appear in public school libraries constitute “government speech.” Unde...
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Learning an uncomfortable history is not the same as being harmed by it. Teens deserve access to books that help them examine the past, question what they know, and better understand the country they live in. WE ARE NOT YET EQUAL belongs on shelves. #FreedomToRead #BannedBooks
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
In Florida, it was among books restricted in Escambia County requiring parent permission for some grades to access while awaiting a final decision & a Clay County challenge labeled the objection “CRT,” although reviewers ultimately found no violation of Florida law & kept it for high-school readers.
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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 templateSubject: 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 · 28/08/2026
“FL is our canary in the coal mine. Understanding the varied ways that local policymakers…experience & respond to the evolving extra-legal & autocratic tactics…, identifying similar patterns elsewhere, & learning effective responses is critical to defending public education & the public sphere.”
education.indiana.edu
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Freedom to read should mean everyone. Anti-censorship laws are protecting access in schools and public libraries, but incarcerated readers are often left out. This important Book Riot piece examines that gap and what advocates can do about it. bookriot.com/anti-censors...
bookriot.com
Anti-Censorship Legislation: Prisons Need Not Apply: Book Censorship News, August 28, 2026
A look at where and how freedom to read bills fail to address prison censorship and how advocates can help end carceral bans.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is threatening schools with lower ratings over library books. Our latest article looks at how Florida helped create this censorship playbook, the quiet removals happening in Texas & why the threat could spread nationwide. freedomtoreadproject.substack.com/p/texas-is-t...
freedomtoreadproject.substack.com
Texas Is Threatening Schools Over Books. Florida Has Seen This Playbook Before.
Last week, Texas Lt.
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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 · 21/08/2026
What does censorship look like behind prison walls, and how can those on the outside help? This Book Riot article explores the barriers incarcerated readers face and what we can do to support their freedom to read. bookriot.com/navigating-p... #FreedomToRead #PrisonCensorship
bookriot.com
Request Denied (Again): Navigating Prison Censorship from the Outside: Book Censorship News, August 21, 2026
Where and how prison censorship impacts those outside the facility trying to provide books and educated to those inside.
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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
A law passes. The work isn’t over. What happens during state rulemaking, local policy changes, and implementation can determine what a new law actually means for our schools and libraries. freedomtoreadproject.substack.com/p/the-law-pa...
freedomtoreadproject.substack.com
The Law Passed. Now What? Why the Rulemaking Stage Matters Just as Much
When a bill is signed into law, it is tempting to think the work is finished.
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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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