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Reposted by Freedom to Read Project

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 4h

Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 12h

CONCRETE ROSE by Angie Thomas is a powerful, heartfelt novel that deserves a place on every shelf.

Banning this book erases critical conversations about responsibility, masculinity, and identity that matter deeply to today’s youth.

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EveryLibrary @everylibrary.bsky.social · 1d

It is crucial to view book bans from the perspective of those whose voices are being hushed by censorship.

Here’s What LGBTQ+ Teens and Young Adults Have to Say About Libraries and Book Bans

How do LGBTQ+ young people feel about having their voices removed from library shelves?

buff.ly

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 1d

Banned Books Week Fact: 97% of book bans weren’t required by law. They happened because of fear.

Fear of losing funding. Fear of political backlash. Fear of standing up for students’ right to read.

This is what censorship looks like today: self-silencing, not statutes.

Pie chart showing that 97% of book bans are not required by law

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 2d

✨ Happy Banned Books Week! ✨

This year, make your advocacy count with “Turning the Page: An Advocate’s Guide to the Freedom to Read.”

Download it free today and turn your support for banned books into real-world action.
www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_...

Cover of Turning the Page: An advocate’s guide to the freedom to read

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 2d

What are the top 10 most banned books in the US? See PEN America's list. https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/10/05/top-10-banned-books-week/86498998007/ #BannedBooksWeek

What are the top 10 most banned books in the US? See PEN America's list.

PEN America reports that nearly 4,000 unique book titles were challenged for banning in the U.S. in 2024. Take a look at the titles.

www.azcentral.com

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EveryLibrary @everylibrary.bsky.social · 2d

With the hostility that has arisen from book banning efforts, we must learn how to recognize and help break the cycle of bullying librarians.

When Banning Leads to Bullying

How do you show support for librarians during times of book bans and censorship?

buff.ly

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skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 4d

That report was useful in taking a moment to look at the average and median ages of the most commonly banned books in the US over the last year.

Average? 22 years old, between PEN and ALA's reports.

Median? 17.

These aren't new books.

bookriot.com/the-average-...

The Average Age of America's Most-Banned Books Is Older Than a High School Senior: Book Censorship News, October 3, 2025

The average age of the most banned books in America is higher than the young people those bans seek to "protect."

bookriot.com

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skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 4d

This week, a judge ruled that library users nor authors have First Amendment Rights when it comes to public school libraries.

The judge said a 1st grader could "just buy the book" removed from their school library.

Your rights are being taken from you.

bookriot.com/parnell-vs-e...

Another Judge Chips Away at Library Patron First Amendment Rights

A District Court judge rules that neither library patrons nor authors have First Amendment rights when it comes to library collections.

bookriot.com

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skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 6d

If you shouted about how unfair it was Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air, then you should sure as shit care that YOUR RIGHTS ARE BEING TAKEN FROM YOU.

bookriot.com/parnell-vs-e...

Another Judge Chips Away at Library Patron First Amendment Rights

A District Court judge rules that neither library patrons nor authors have First Amendment rights when it comes to library collections.

bookriot.com

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skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 5d

What is the average age of the most banned books in America?

It's 22.

The most banned books in America are not new books.

Why are they suddenly a problem now? We know. We all know.

That, plus an *extensive* roundup of book censorship news this week.

bookriot.com/the-average-...

Image of a book on fire. There is white text on top of the image that reads "The average age of the most banned books in America? 22 years old."

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 6d

"As book bans continue to spread at an unprecedented pace — according to PEN America’s latest report — the writers group is urging the public to speak out to defend the freedom to read at public events nationwide during #BannedBooksWeek and beyond..." pen.org/press-releas...

Speak Out Against Censorship and Speak Up for the Banned Authors that Inspire You During Banned Books Week Oct. 5-11

As book bans continue to spread at an unprecedented pace– according to PEN America’s latest report—the writers group is urging the public to speak out to defend the freedom to read at public events na...

pen.org

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 6d

According to PEN America’s latest report, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE was the most banned book of 2024—and that should trouble us all.

Books that make us uncomfortable are often the ones that make us think the most. Banning them makes our shelves, and our society, poorer.

#FreedomToRead #BookBans

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 6d

The latest PEN America report offers more than statistics—it uncovers a modern censorship crisis. Discover how bans affect thousands of books, why most removals are driven by fear, and how communities are pushing back.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/everyday_ban...

Everyday Bans, Everyday Resistance: What PEN America’s Latest Report Reveals About Book Censorship

PEN America’s report shows that in 2024–2025, nearly 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 districts targeted 3,752 titles, mostly driven by fear of backlash—not law—and heavily focused...

www.freedomtoreadproject.org

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skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 8d

Leander Independent School District (TX) administrators told educators to pull 40 books from their shelves, including TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and LES MISERABLES. They got these titles from using AI.

bookriot.com/leander-sb-13/

Texas School Administrators Use A.I. To Ban Books Like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Leander Independent School District's administrators tell educators to "pause" use of 40 books, including numerous classroom classics.

bookriot.com

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 8d

Here’s a look at one of the action-packed pages from “Turning the Page: An Advocate’s Guide to the Freedom to Read!”

This is only one of over 100 pages of guidance, info, and activities to jumpstart your advocacy journey.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_...

Other ways to advocate: start a banned book club, host a book exchange, sponsor a little free library, vote and run for office, find or create a coalition

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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 9d

For young readers, books such as Judy Blume’s “Forever” are a chance to see their own desires and anxieties reflected back at them. In the Wonder Reader, @isabelfattal.bsky.social explores the singular power of the art we discover as teens:

What Teen Novels Are Capable of

These books can help young people come to terms with the thoughts that feel too scary to say out loud.

bit.ly

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 9d

Ever wonder where book challenges are taking place?

This means the places meant to provide free, open access to stories, information, & ideas are being targeted the most. When public and school libraries lose books, entire communities lose opportunities for discovery, connection, & representation.

Graphic showing where boom challenges take place: 55% public libraries, 38% school libraries, 5% schools, 2% higher ed/other

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skellyton bones jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 10d

I made a free printable bookmark you can use for any banned books week (or before or after!) displays, books, etc., that gives people *action items* for defending the right to read.

buttondown.com/wellsourced/...

A Free Printable Bookmark About Book Censorship

Print these free bookmarks to help engage your friends, family, and community in the fight against book bans.

buttondown.com

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Florida Freedom to Read Project @flfreedomread.bsky.social · 12d

The state has dropped its 24/25 removal report.

Please note: It’s an undercount since they only report removals after formal objections.

Clay continues to lead the state in the number of reported removals at the direction of one person.

www.fldoe.org/file/5574/24...

www.fldoe.org

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Authors Against Book Bans @authorsabb.bsky.social · 12d

Our Alaska chapter wrote an opinion piece ahead of Banned Books Week. www.adn.com/opinions/202...

Opinion: Banning books undercuts learning and democracy. It remains a threat everywhere, including here in Alaska.

Banned Books Week highlights how challenges undermine libraries, learning and free choice.

www.adn.com

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 13d

Wondering why canceling subscriptions isn’t enough to save public schools?

Our new article dives into how sweeping censorship laws are engineered to push families out of public schoolsand how true resistance means showing up, not checking out.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/consumer_act...

Consumer Activism vs. Structural Policy: Why Boycotts Alone Won’t Save the Freedom to Read

Consumer activism pressured Disney/ABC, conservatives decried censorship, and moderates exposed hypocrisy, checking FCC intimidation. But in schools, boycotts weaken public education; civic engagement...

www.freedomtoreadproject.org

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Frank Strong @frankstrong.bsky.social · 14d

I need help getting this CRAZY censorship story out!

Last week, admins in Leander ISD emailed teachers telling them to “pause” use of 40 books relating to “DEI” that had previously been curriculum or choice reading activities.

Included on the list? To Kill a Mockingbird. #bookbans #booksky

Email to 6th-grade teachers in Leander ISD that reads:

Dear 6th Grade ELA Team,
I want to share an Important update regarding some of the texts in our book club and
whole-class reading collections. In response to new legislation outlined in Senate Bill 12 (89th
Legislature), we have conducted a review of titles currently used in secondary ELA instruction.
Because SB 12 prohibits specific types of content, several of our resources now require
additional review.
Effective immediately, please pause the use of the identified texts (linked below) in
instruction and assignments until further notice. This step is necessary to ensure our
curriculum remains in full compliance with the law.
I want to emphasize that these books are not being permanently removed. They are simply on
hold while we seek additional guidance from TASB and TEA regarding the implications of SB 12
for instructional resources. Once we receive that guidance, we will provide clear updates about
next steps. Additionally, if these books are included in your own personal classroom library, we
request that you remove them since personal classroom libraries are considered instructional
resources.
I know this timing is far from ideal and may present challenges, especially given the thoughtful
preparation you have invested in building engaging reading experiences for students. Please
know that our commitment to offering students a wide range of meaningful opportunities for
choice reading and discussion remains unchanged.
Thank you for your flexibility, professionalism, and continued dedication to our students as we
navigate this process together.
6th grade ELAR Resources
With appreciation,

List of 40 books removed from classes. Includes To Kill a Mockingbird, The House on Mango Street, The Fire Next Time, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and, weirdly, Les Miserables.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 14d

FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE follows Mahalia Harris, a Black queer teen, as she plans the Sweet Sixteen of her dreams, a coming-out party full of glitter, music, and community. It’s not just about romance; it’s about friendship, family, resilience & carving out joy in a world that too often tries to dim it.

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Freedom to Read Project @freedomreadproject.bsky.social · 15d

Have you downloaded our free resource yet?

“Turning the Page: An Advocate’s Guide to the Freedom to Read” is here to help parents, educators, students, and community members stand strong against censorship.

www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_...

#FreedomToRead

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