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Let’s Explore Censorship & Book Bans

When is it?

• Right To Read Day happens annually on April 24th
• Banned Books week takes place annually on October 1-7

Read About Resisting Censorship

• Chicken Wonders Why
• Noodlephant
• The Librarian of Basra
• The Rebellious Alphabet
• Americus
• The Great Banned Book Sale

Read A Banned Book

Roughly in age order for younger readers to older readers

• Antiracist Baby
• They She He Easy as ABC
• Who’s In My Family?
• And Tango Makes Three
• Milo’s Museum
• Where Willy Went
• Uncle Bobby’s Wedding
• In The Night Kitchen
• Heather Has Two Mommies
• Prince & Knight
• Something Happened In Our Town
• The Lorax
• Nasreen’s Secret School
• A Day In The Life of Marlon Bundo
• I Am Jazz
• Sex is a Funny Word
• A Light in the Attic
• A Place Inside of Me
• Baseball Saved Us
• In Our Mothers’ House
• Drama
• The Hill We Climb
• This One Summer
• Persepolis
• The Hate U Give
• Say Her Name
• Dragonwings

Discuss

• What’s the difference between banning a book, and just not liking or recommending it?
• Why was this book banned? Where can we find out?
• What were adults worried kids would learn from this book?
• Do you agree with everything this book says?
• How can you learn more about any parts you disagree with – and why others might disagree with you?

Take Action

• Tell a friend about the banned book you read, and why it was banned.
• Buy a banned book from a BIPOC LGBTQiA2S+ founded micro publisher, like Reflection Press
• Report censorship when books are challenged and banned in your community
• Ask an adult to help you start a banned book club.
• Help a librarian create a banned book display.
• Tell the Secretary of Education you oppose book bans in public schools (petition via Moms Rising)
• Write a letter or email of support to authors whose books have been banned, such as Zetta Elliott, author of Milo’s Museum and A Place Inside of Me.
• Find more Let Freedom Read Day Actions
• Start or join a local Kids Right to Read group and get templates, strategies, and resources to resist book-banners in your area

More Resources To Dig Deeper

• Unite Against Book Bans Action Toolkit
• Join the Luminary Braintrust and get access to our Resource Library, including worksheets, downloads, and videos to help you raise critical readers