Freedom to Read Project
@freedomreadproject.bsky.social
Parent-led nonprofit dedicated to protecting access to information in our schools and public libraries. www.freedomtoreadproject.org
Pinned
We are public school parents dedicated to protecting education and library access for all students across the US.
We’re here to inform, support, and guide local and state-led advocacy by everyday citizens like us.
We’re here to inform, support, and guide local and state-led advocacy by everyday citizens like us.
We’re proud to share that Freedom to Read Project has joined leading advocates and publishers in signing onto the letter from PEN America rejecting the directive from Tennessee’s Secretary of State to review public-library collections for “gender ideology.”
pen.org/press-releas...
pen.org/press-releas...
November 25, 2025 at 10:05 PM
We’re proud to share that Freedom to Read Project has joined leading advocates and publishers in signing onto the letter from PEN America rejecting the directive from Tennessee’s Secretary of State to review public-library collections for “gender ideology.”
pen.org/press-releas...
pen.org/press-releas...
This PEN America graphic shows a devastating trend: book bans have surged to over 10,000 in 2023–24, with thousands more already recorded this school year.
This represents real students losing access to stories, information, and perspectives that help them understand the world and themselves.
This represents real students losing access to stories, information, and perspectives that help them understand the world and themselves.
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
This PEN America graphic shows a devastating trend: book bans have surged to over 10,000 in 2023–24, with thousands more already recorded this school year.
This represents real students losing access to stories, information, and perspectives that help them understand the world and themselves.
This represents real students losing access to stories, information, and perspectives that help them understand the world and themselves.
Read this article and 🧵 to start your holiday week off with some good library news!
If you don’t already subscribe to Kelly’s Literary Activism newsletter, you should!👇
If you don’t already subscribe to Kelly’s Literary Activism newsletter, you should!👇
A US District Court Judge has issued a permanent injunction in the lawsuit brought by 21 state attorneys general against the Trump administration for dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This means the IMLS cannot be further harmed.
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
bookriot.com/21-attorney-...
A Major Court Win for IMLS, Libraries
Trump and his administration are barred from dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services, thanks to a judge's ruling.
bookriot.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Read this article and 🧵 to start your holiday week off with some good library news!
If you don’t already subscribe to Kelly’s Literary Activism newsletter, you should!👇
If you don’t already subscribe to Kelly’s Literary Activism newsletter, you should!👇
Florida just became the first state in the nation to adopt the Phoenix Declaration, a vague, Heritage-written framework that could reshape public education in far-reaching ways.
Let’s stay informed, stay organized, and protect the freedom to learn.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_phoenix_...
Let’s stay informed, stay organized, and protect the freedom to learn.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_phoenix_...
The Phoenix Declaration: What It Is and What Floridians Can Expect Now That the State Has Become the First to Adopt It
Florida quietly adopted the Heritage Foundation’s vague Phoenix Declaration, enabling future curriculum restrictions, increased censorship, educator pressure, and deeper ideological control over publi...
www.freedomtoreadproject.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Florida just became the first state in the nation to adopt the Phoenix Declaration, a vague, Heritage-written framework that could reshape public education in far-reaching ways.
Let’s stay informed, stay organized, and protect the freedom to learn.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_phoenix_...
Let’s stay informed, stay organized, and protect the freedom to learn.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/the_phoenix_...
Reposted by Freedom to Read Project
We are thrilled that reason has prevailed in Missouri and library books will be returned to the shelves!. www.stlpr.org/government-p...
Missouri court strikes down book ban law that pushed libraries to remove hundreds of titles
A law creating a misdemeanor offense for school employees who supply ‘sexually explicit material’ to students is now void.
www.stlpr.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 AM
We are thrilled that reason has prevailed in Missouri and library books will be returned to the shelves!. www.stlpr.org/government-p...
Reposted by Freedom to Read Project
One of the last surviving actors to be blacklisted during the anti-communist Red Scare, the Academy Award-winning performer is speaking out against FL’s new standards, which critics have warned are aimed at rewriting one of the most repressive chapters in American history.
apnews.com/article/flor...
apnews.com/article/flor...
Lee Grant, blacklisted during McCarthyism, is speaking out against Florida's teaching standards
At 100 years old, Lee Grant knows the cost of McCarthyism better than almost anyone else on the planet.
apnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:20 PM
One of the last surviving actors to be blacklisted during the anti-communist Red Scare, the Academy Award-winning performer is speaking out against FL’s new standards, which critics have warned are aimed at rewriting one of the most repressive chapters in American history.
apnews.com/article/flor...
apnews.com/article/flor...
ALL MY RAGE by Sabaa Tahir is one of the most powerful, heart-shattering, and healing YA novels of our time. Tahir delivers a story about friendship, trauma, family, forgiveness, & the long reach of generational pain, all told with stunning empathy & honesty.
Let young people read widely & bravely.
Let young people read widely & bravely.
November 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
ALL MY RAGE by Sabaa Tahir is one of the most powerful, heart-shattering, and healing YA novels of our time. Tahir delivers a story about friendship, trauma, family, forgiveness, & the long reach of generational pain, all told with stunning empathy & honesty.
Let young people read widely & bravely.
Let young people read widely & bravely.
Want to speak up for the Freedom to Read and get the press to pay attention? Here are quick, effective tips.
Your voice matters. And when the press hears it, the public does too.
Keep showing up, keep speaking out, and keep defending the right to read.
#FreedomToRead #BookCensorship #PressFreedom
Your voice matters. And when the press hears it, the public does too.
Keep showing up, keep speaking out, and keep defending the right to read.
#FreedomToRead #BookCensorship #PressFreedom
November 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Want to speak up for the Freedom to Read and get the press to pay attention? Here are quick, effective tips.
Your voice matters. And when the press hears it, the public does too.
Keep showing up, keep speaking out, and keep defending the right to read.
#FreedomToRead #BookCensorship #PressFreedom
Your voice matters. And when the press hears it, the public does too.
Keep showing up, keep speaking out, and keep defending the right to read.
#FreedomToRead #BookCensorship #PressFreedom
We’re proud to announce that Freedom to Read Project has officially co-signed a letter from the National Coalition Against Censorship opposing the removal of books at the Benton School District in Arkansas without following policy or respecting students’ First Amendment rights.
November 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM
We’re proud to announce that Freedom to Read Project has officially co-signed a letter from the National Coalition Against Censorship opposing the removal of books at the Benton School District in Arkansas without following policy or respecting students’ First Amendment rights.
Reposted by Freedom to Read Project
We have the newest casualty of the “parents rights," movement in Texas! And we can thank Sen. Angela Paxton’s “parental rights” school library bill (SB 13) for keeping Texas kids safe from Pretty Perfect Kitty Corn in Southlake, TX (Carroll ISD). @shannonhale.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 1:41 AM
We have the newest casualty of the “parents rights," movement in Texas! And we can thank Sen. Angela Paxton’s “parental rights” school library bill (SB 13) for keeping Texas kids safe from Pretty Perfect Kitty Corn in Southlake, TX (Carroll ISD). @shannonhale.bsky.social
Reposted by Freedom to Read Project
“Schrecker, the McCarthyism expert, said the standards present “a very narrow and repressive view of American history” that reinforces the status quo and obscures historical moments that sparked social and political change.”
apnews.com/article/flor...
apnews.com/article/flor...
What to know about how Florida will teach McCarthyism and the Cold War
Students in Florida’s public schools will soon be learning an interpretation of McCarthyism and the Cold War that is steeped in rhetoric of that era.
apnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:05 PM
“Schrecker, the McCarthyism expert, said the standards present “a very narrow and repressive view of American history” that reinforces the status quo and obscures historical moments that sparked social and political change.”
apnews.com/article/flor...
apnews.com/article/flor...
Excellent information on the latest in book bans. 👇
What is Take Back The Classroom? A deep dive into the project making its way into right-wing circles, aiding in book bans nationwide. Who is behind it? How does it work? How are they recruiting new cult members?
Know before it reaches your library.
bookriot.com/what-is-take...
Know before it reaches your library.
bookriot.com/what-is-take...
What Is Take Back The Classroom?: Book Censorship News, November 14, 2025
With the closure of BookLooks, we've seen the rise of Take Back the Classroom. But what is this website and how do their book "reviews" work?
bookriot.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Excellent information on the latest in book bans. 👇
This holiday season, let’s make gift-giving meaningful and activist-friendly. Dive into this guide and discover how your holiday gifts can support librarians, students, local bookstores, and the freedom to read for everyone.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/incorporatin...
#FreedomToRead
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/incorporatin...
#FreedomToRead
Incorporating the Freedom to Read into Your Holiday Gift-Giving Plan
This Freedom to Read Project guide encourages using holiday giving to support intellectual freedom through diverse book gifts, donations to We Need Diverse Books, indie bookstores’ nonprofit wings, an...
www.freedomtoreadproject.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This holiday season, let’s make gift-giving meaningful and activist-friendly. Dive into this guide and discover how your holiday gifts can support librarians, students, local bookstores, and the freedom to read for everyone.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/incorporatin...
#FreedomToRead
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/incorporatin...
#FreedomToRead
CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR? by Irene Latham & Charles Waters is a powerful book of poetry that opens the door for kids to explore race, identity, & friendship, bringing necessary conversations into classrooms & homes with honesty and heart. Let’s keep stories like this on shelves, in hands, & in hearts.
November 12, 2025 at 5:50 PM
CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR? by Irene Latham & Charles Waters is a powerful book of poetry that opens the door for kids to explore race, identity, & friendship, bringing necessary conversations into classrooms & homes with honesty and heart. Let’s keep stories like this on shelves, in hands, & in hearts.
Want to speak out against book censorship in your district? Emailing your school board is a powerful place to start! Here are some quick tips (below).
Your voice matters. Let them hear it.
#FreedomToRead #LetKidsRead #AntiCensorship
Your voice matters. Let them hear it.
#FreedomToRead #LetKidsRead #AntiCensorship
November 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Want to speak out against book censorship in your district? Emailing your school board is a powerful place to start! Here are some quick tips (below).
Your voice matters. Let them hear it.
#FreedomToRead #LetKidsRead #AntiCensorship
Your voice matters. Let them hear it.
#FreedomToRead #LetKidsRead #AntiCensorship
Too often, censorship activists skip reading the full book (or its context) and instead spotlight specific dramatic excerpts at school board meetings to spark fear and outrage. But books are meant to be experienced as a whole, not reduced to a few cherry-picked pages.
#FreedomToRead
#FreedomToRead
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Too often, censorship activists skip reading the full book (or its context) and instead spotlight specific dramatic excerpts at school board meetings to spark fear and outrage. But books are meant to be experienced as a whole, not reduced to a few cherry-picked pages.
#FreedomToRead
#FreedomToRead
Reposted by Freedom to Read Project
Rutherford County Library System (TN) shut down 2 libraries to ban books from the collections. This decision came as the Secretary of State sent them a letter demanding they "follow the law" and "follow Executive Orders" related to collections.
The board *likes* this.
bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
The board *likes* this.
bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
Rutherford County Library System (TN) Temporarily Shuts Down to Ban Books
Rutherford County Library System announced on social media a surprise shutdown of two libraries. Why? "Reviewing inventory."
bookriot.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Rutherford County Library System (TN) shut down 2 libraries to ban books from the collections. This decision came as the Secretary of State sent them a letter demanding they "follow the law" and "follow Executive Orders" related to collections.
The board *likes* this.
bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
The board *likes* this.
bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
Reposted by Freedom to Read Project
URGENT Call to Action: The Senate version of the S.2696 is moving out of committee BUT this version does not include any protections for book creators and only contains weak first amendment protections. The timing is tight: please email your senator before Wednesday, Nov. 12! More info:
URGENT Call to Action - Email Your Senators! — Mass Freedom To Read
Mass Freedom To Read learned late on Thursday that An Act Regarding Free Expression (renamed S. 2696) has moved out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and will be going to a floor vote next Thursd...
www.massfreedomtoread.org
November 8, 2025 at 8:16 PM
URGENT Call to Action: The Senate version of the S.2696 is moving out of committee BUT this version does not include any protections for book creators and only contains weak first amendment protections. The timing is tight: please email your senator before Wednesday, Nov. 12! More info:
Reposted by Freedom to Read Project
Meet three of the high schoolers who saw their state reading bowl banned eight books in Georgia...and did something about it.
Kids should never have to do this kind of work, but they are absolutely worth celebrating when they do: bookriot.com/teens-who-ov...
Kids should never have to do this kind of work, but they are absolutely worth celebrating when they do: bookriot.com/teens-who-ov...
Meet the High Schoolers Who Overturned a State Reading Bowl Book Ban: Book Censorship News, November 7, 2025
A Georgia statewide reading bowl banned eight books. These students led the charge to get the bans overturned and succeeded.
bookriot.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Meet three of the high schoolers who saw their state reading bowl banned eight books in Georgia...and did something about it.
Kids should never have to do this kind of work, but they are absolutely worth celebrating when they do: bookriot.com/teens-who-ov...
Kids should never have to do this kind of work, but they are absolutely worth celebrating when they do: bookriot.com/teens-who-ov...
Two Rutherford County (TN) libraries just shut down amid a push to ban LGBTQ+ books. This isn’t just local, it’s about who gets to decide what stories we can read.
Read the full story on Book Riot bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
#BooksNotBans #LibraryFreedom
Read the full story on Book Riot bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
#BooksNotBans #LibraryFreedom
Rutherford County Library System (TN) Temporarily Shuts Down to Ban Books
Rutherford County Library System announced on social media a surprise shutdown of two libraries. Why? "Reviewing inventory."
bookriot.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Two Rutherford County (TN) libraries just shut down amid a push to ban LGBTQ+ books. This isn’t just local, it’s about who gets to decide what stories we can read.
Read the full story on Book Riot bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
#BooksNotBans #LibraryFreedom
Read the full story on Book Riot bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
#BooksNotBans #LibraryFreedom
You liked, we listened... We took our popular post on how to talk to your kids about banned books and expanded it into a full-length article packed with tips, talking points, and book suggestions your family can actually use.
freedomtoreadproject.org/how_to_talk_to_your_kids_about_banned_books
freedomtoreadproject.org/how_to_talk_to_your_kids_about_banned_books
How to Talk to Your Kids About Banned Books
Talking—you can empower kids to read boldly by discussing why books get banned, reading them together, and modeling advocacy and curiosity.
freedomtoreadproject.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
You liked, we listened... We took our popular post on how to talk to your kids about banned books and expanded it into a full-length article packed with tips, talking points, and book suggestions your family can actually use.
freedomtoreadproject.org/how_to_talk_to_your_kids_about_banned_books
freedomtoreadproject.org/how_to_talk_to_your_kids_about_banned_books
Toni Morrison’s THE BLUEST EYE is a masterpiece of American literature, a searing, compassionate exploration of race, beauty, identity, and the longing to be seen. It gives voice to those who are too often silenced, inviting readers to confront painful truths about how society defines worth & love.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Toni Morrison’s THE BLUEST EYE is a masterpiece of American literature, a searing, compassionate exploration of race, beauty, identity, and the longing to be seen. It gives voice to those who are too often silenced, inviting readers to confront painful truths about how society defines worth & love.
Our free guide, “Turning the Page: An Advocate’s Guide to the Freedom to Read,” offers practical strategies for starting tough conversations, organizing your community, and protecting access to books in schools and libraries.
Download for free here:
freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_page
Download for free here:
freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_page
November 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Our free guide, “Turning the Page: An Advocate’s Guide to the Freedom to Read,” offers practical strategies for starting tough conversations, organizing your community, and protecting access to books in schools and libraries.
Download for free here:
freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_page
Download for free here:
freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_page
In the 2024–25 school year, Florida led the nation with 2,304 book bans, according to PEN America. That’s 2,304 lost opportunities for students to see themselves, question ideas, and learn from diverse voices.
Every banned book is a silenced story, and every silence chips away at democracy.
Every banned book is a silenced story, and every silence chips away at democracy.
November 3, 2025 at 2:57 PM
In the 2024–25 school year, Florida led the nation with 2,304 book bans, according to PEN America. That’s 2,304 lost opportunities for students to see themselves, question ideas, and learn from diverse voices.
Every banned book is a silenced story, and every silence chips away at democracy.
Every banned book is a silenced story, and every silence chips away at democracy.
🎃👻 Happy Halloween from the Freedom to Read Project! 👻🎃
Tonight’s the perfect time for spooky stories, eerie adventures, and a reminder that the scariest thing of all is censorship. 😱
Stay brave, stay curious, and keep those stories alive. 💀📖
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #SpookyStories
Tonight’s the perfect time for spooky stories, eerie adventures, and a reminder that the scariest thing of all is censorship. 😱
Stay brave, stay curious, and keep those stories alive. 💀📖
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #SpookyStories
October 31, 2025 at 1:34 PM
🎃👻 Happy Halloween from the Freedom to Read Project! 👻🎃
Tonight’s the perfect time for spooky stories, eerie adventures, and a reminder that the scariest thing of all is censorship. 😱
Stay brave, stay curious, and keep those stories alive. 💀📖
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #SpookyStories
Tonight’s the perfect time for spooky stories, eerie adventures, and a reminder that the scariest thing of all is censorship. 😱
Stay brave, stay curious, and keep those stories alive. 💀📖
#FreedomToRead #BooksNotBans #SpookyStories