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Pat Daniels

@patdaniels.bsky.social
229 followers 321 following 102 posts

Writer and editor. Mostly science and history, often for National Geographic. My latest book: How To Teach Grown-Ups About Climate Change. danielsedit.com

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Reposted by Pat Daniels
PEN Canada @pencanada.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Nearly 12,000 bans took place in American public schools over the past year, according to a new study from @penamerica.bsky.social. This is the highest total since the organization began tracking removals five years ago: www.cbc.ca/books/works-...
cbc.ca
Works by Canadian authors Margaret Atwood and Ryan North among books banned in U.S. schools in 2026 | CBC Books
Nearly 12,000 bans took place in American public schools over the past year, according to a new study from PEN America, the highest total since the free expression organization began tracking removals...
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
And ofc to round it out, books ABOUT censorship also get banned bc irony is dead and we live in hell! bookshop.org/p/books/ban-... bookshop.org/p/books/atta... bookshop.org/p/books/day-...
bookshop.org
Ban This Book: A Novel
You’re Never Too Young to Fight Censorship!In Ban This Book by Alan Gratz, a fourth grader fights back when From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg is challenged by a ...
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
An oldie but goodie: The Worst Journey in the World by the wonderfully named Apsley Cherry Garrard. As I recall at one point the soles of their feet fall off.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
What if, I know this will be shocking, parents had a say in what books their kids read, and let other parents decide what books their kids can read? Wild, right?
newsobserver.com
Wake schools restricts parents’ ability to challenge books, citing new state law
Wake County says parents can now only prevent their children and not other students from borrowing specific school library books.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Ron Charles @roncharles.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Twenty years ago, Patricia McCormick’s "Sold" united readers around the horrors of child trafficking. Now it’s one of America’s most banned books. What gets lost when powerful books are pushed out of schools? roncharles.substack.com/p/whats-so-s...
roncharles.substack.com
What’s So Scary About This Book?
Twenty years ago, Patricia McCormick’s “Sold” united readers around the horrors of child trafficking. Now it’s one of America’s most banned books.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Pat Bagley @bagleycartoons.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I was just about to list Fisk. Low stakes, dryly funny. Soothing.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Next week is Banned Book Week. Check out @penamerica.bsky.social for events and ways to get involved: (The preview image says 2025 but it links to this year!)
pen.org
Banned Books Week 2025
We invite readers, authors, educators, librarians, and everyone who opposes censorship to get involved during Banned Books Week 2025.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
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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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
You know who also needs recognition? The guy who does Jhoan Duran's butt camera.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
DrAnnD @drannd.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
RIGHT TO READ NIGHT in San Antonio! Brown Girl Dreaming, discussion, and community! Part of Banned Books Week, October 4-10 @authorsabb.bsky.social @ncacensorship.bsky.social
Dark purple flyer

Right to Read Night
Nowhere Bookshop
Monday, Oct 5, 6p

Join local author Rachel Toalson and  Dr. Ann David to learn about the Right to Read and how to advocate for schools, libraries, and communities.

Also, we’ll read selections from and talk about Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson, a beautiful, yet often banned, book.

No RSVP needed. Free advocacy resources will be available. 

Logos for National Coalition Against Censorship and Authors Against Book Bans.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Publisher Spotlight @pubspotlight.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Get involved in working for the right to read, the right to publish, the right to select for library users, and the right to express ideas this Thursday www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
publishersweekly.com
Freedom to Read Orgs, Authors to Host Telethon
Anti-censorship groups, authors, librarians, and others will host a livestreamed telethon, Show Up, Speak Up! Vote for the Freedom to Read, on September 24, with special guests including Judy Blume, J...
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Cat Winters @catwintersbooks.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
During Banned Books Week, I'll be discussing the many ways book bans affect authors and readers in Oregon and across the U.S. and what you can do to preserve the freedom to read. 10/6/26, 6:30 pm Literary Arts Bookstore Portland, OR literary-arts.org/event/banned... @authorsabb.bsky.social
literary-arts.org
Banned Books Week Discussion
Join us at The Literary Arts Bookstore for a discussion on book bans with co-leader of the Oregon chapter of Authors Against Book Bans, Cat Winters. Learn more about how
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Wednesday in DC
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Iowa lawmakers hate reading whole books almost as much as they hate gay kids. A look at the implementation of SF 496 and a new proposal to make things even worse. If you're in Iowa, you need to comment before September 22. Details on how, what, and why. buttondown.com/wellsourced/...
buttondown.com
Iowa Lawmakers Hate Reading Books Almost As Much As They Hate Queer Kids
There's no requirement for a whole book to be read before it's banned in Iowa under SF 496. A new proposal to the bill could speed up bans even more.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Anyone free in Boise today! Danny Caine is doing a workshop at the public library on how to write a public comment. Public comments are a relatively rare opportunity to speak directly to your leaders so you want to make the most of it.
boisepubliclibrary.libcal.com
Danny Caine Workshop: How to Write a Public Comment
There is an art to a good public testimony. You generally have two minutes to share your valid concerns and convince those in power to act in your interest. That puts a lot of...
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Also worth noting, though not uttered in this clip, is that Grimesby Roylott is the best villain name ever
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Postcards are a simple but effective way to make elected officials hear your input. Here's a quick template to help you write your own or even host a postcard writing party!
docs.google.com
How to write a postcard FTR campaign.docx
RHODE ISLAND FREEDOM TO READ ACT (S0238, H5726) POSTCARD CAMPAIGN You are invited to write a postcard to your state legislators to express your thoughts on the Rhode Island Freedom to Read Act…
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Oh god. The Crawling Eye. For a year I would only get in bed by jumping from a distance, convinced the crawling eye was under my bed and would grab my ankles.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
On October 5 The Book Bar in New York is hosting a Romance Read-In to benefit Authors Against Book Bans!
eventbrite.com
Romance Read-In to Benefit Authors Against Book Bans
It's Banned Books Week - so we're calling on romance readers to support Authors Against Book Bans and fight back against censorship!
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Is your city the next book save harbor?
kxan.com
City council designates Austin Public Library a 'Book Safe Haven.'
Some of Austin’s city council members held a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the central Austin Public Library branch to speak about a resolution to declare the institution a “Book Safe Harbor.”
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Thanks, will do
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Just got the Anthropic email today for one of mine (Nat Geo). Says I get 100% but the publisher is the default? Don't even know what that means...
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The same, some 65 years ago. Waking to hear CBS radio come on in the parents' bedroom, followed instantly by the sound of matches striking.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 03/09/2026
A clip of me commenting on @jococruise.bsky.social about being banned in a school library went up and I thought I'd share. The first 90 seconds are on me, but it's the rest I think is important, where I talk about the real harms book bans inflict on authors who are not like me. youtu.be/ya1ylFb9E_k
youtu.be
Why was Lock In banned? — John Scalzi Q&A on JoCo Cruise 2026
YouTube video by Angela Brett
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Forbes @forbes.com · 01/09/2026
Attacks on librarians, forced storytime cancellations and book bans are threatening the stability of public libraries
forbes.com
Political Attacks Are Pushing Public Libraries To ‘Breaking Point,’ New Report Shows
Attacks on librarians, forced storytime cancellations and book bans are threatening the stability of public libraries
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
So what can be done about this now? Well, here's one approach:
texasobserver.org
Come and Take Them, Dan Patrick
An Abilene public school librarian has a message for the lieutenant governor and his book-banning crusade.
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Haunted.
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Every time I read "mic" I hear "mick." It hurts my ear.
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
When I was a child my great aunt recounted to me, as if it were yesterday, a conversation she had with her grandfather--a man born in 1825, when Jefferson and Adams were still alive.
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Yes! Cuban missile crisis. Every time a plane flew overhead I was afraid it was going to drop a nuke.
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Wonderful. Good to stand up for Margaret but I think Uncle GMH would have appreciated it.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Today!
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Have you made an action plan for the elections this fall? No? Alright, let's get started. Step 1. Know your ballot. Double check to make sure the right to read is safe in your district. Don't assume! Look at all the races, ballot measures, referendums. If there's any weak spots...
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
When we fight, we win
newrepublic.com
Florida School Board Leading “War on Woke” Loses Conservative Majority
A Florida school board that was led by a Moms for Liberty co-founder is now moving in a new direction.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Ryan Estrada @ryanestrada.com · 21/08/2026
The biggest target I've ever seen on my books. Texas placed Banned Book Club and Occulted on a state-wide list of illegal "dirty books." Having them in any school could lead to state takeover where the government could shut down the library entirely and convert it into a student detention center.
Texas Lieutenant Governor releases a list of 2200 "dirty books" deemed illegal for school libraries to have, including two of my books about book censorship.
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Y'all, pay attention. This is happening right now in Texas. Threatening libraries and schools and professional associations. They're never "banning books." They're just "taking them out of schools."
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Matthew Noe @noethematt.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
"Do you make books? Yes? 'I want you to join Authors Against Book Bans!'" A zine by @redgoldsparks.bsky.social for @authorsabb.bsky.social More info: www.authorsagainstbookbans.com
The front cover of Maia's zine, a pair od scissors, and a Libraries work because we do mug
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Maggie Tokuda-Hall @maggietokudahall.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
SARASOTA FL flipped the school board. They were like ground zero for this book banning bullshit and I LOVE TO SEE them eat shit electorally 🥰🥰🥰 This keeps happening almost like book banner suck and are bad at their jobs
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
recapping the night: —Dems flip school board of Sarasota County, FL (a stronghold of M4L). —Dems flip school board chair seat in Orange County, FL. —Dems flip at-large city council seat in Jacksonville. —Dems lead in a red Pennsylvania state House seat (all precincts in, though no AP call).
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I loathe the meaningless egotistical term "thought leader," though in fairness it is a convenient label for "guy I can ignore from now on."
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Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Hey New York! Your legislator has passed Right to Read legislation and now you're just waiting for your governor to sign it. Here's a petition to help urge her to do just that! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcJgJG02D08w0PMtWbPlghBq0gijI3U8RAgyNDpuwGqeuxgg/viewform
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
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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Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Another school board flipped! Last Tuesday Knox County, in TN flipped from Republican controlled to Democrat controlled. Congratulations to all the activists, organizers, & voters who got this done! Maybe your school board is next: www.msn.com/en-us/news/p...
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
As part of the fight against the national book bans, we've made candidate scorecards for the original sponsors of HR 7661. If any of these Representatives are running in a race in your district/state, you can use these cards to help inform your community. This is gonna be a big old thread...
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
A federal book banning bill under consideration in the Senate is dangerously broad, threatening critical school funding unless they comply with sweeping prohibitions. This type of censorship can't become law. Tell your Senators to oppose censorship & reject S4925: www.action.ala.org/campaign/S4925
Show up for our libraries. ALA 150. American Library Association.
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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
SO the Colorado district that decided to use Texas's Bible curriculum has tossed it after three days. Why? IT HAS FACTUAL ERRORS THROUGHOUT. www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/202...
chalkbeat.org
Why is Houston by Florida? Errors and Texas-focus lead Colorado district to reject curriculum
A divided Montezuma-Cortez school board voted against a controversial reading curriculum on Tuesday, following concerns that it contains numerous errors and emphasizes Texas stories and information.
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News Literacy Project @newslit.org · 12/08/2026
❌ NOPE: This is not a real photo or story about a coyote learning how to press a crosswalk button in Arizona. ✔️ It's fiction & the image is AI-generated. ⚠️ AI fakes can appear quite convincing, especially when paired with an interesting backstory. 🔗 Read more: go.newslit.org/CoyoteAI
A post reads, “Arizona DOT installed a wildlife camera at Route 87’s pedestrian crossing outside of Payson last September. Standard deer migration count. After six months, they had footage of zero deer and 147 clips of the same coyote pressing the crosswalk button with its paw at sunrise. The animal waits for the walk signal. Steps into the road. Crosses at a trot. Every single time. Biologists believe it learned by watching hikers at the adjacent trailhead. ‘It's not random,’ said the lead researcher. ‘The coyote understands cause and effect better than half our interns.’ DOT voted unanimously to keep the camera running. The coyote hasn’t jaywalked once’” and includes an image that appears to show a coyote pressing a crosswalk button. The News Literacy Project has added a label that says “FICTION.”
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Pat Daniels @patdaniels.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Just out! The National Geographic Science Encyclopedia, 2nd edition. Freshly updated with info about topics such as AI, CRISPR, and pandemics. Attractive and kid-friendly, what more could you want? Great for eight and up, but you know most adults don't know this stuff either...
Cover of the National Geographic Science Encyclopedia, 2nd edition
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Reposted by Pat Daniels
Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
On Monday, Massachusetts became the latest state to pass right to read legislation. Big congratulations to @massaabb.bsky.social and everyone else who worked to pass this legislation! Let's take a look at a few highlights of this new law...
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