Banned Books week in the USA is happening now (Sep 22-28, 2024) and there's so much you can do to get involved and help make sure that diverse books are available to the young readers who need them!
One great example is author Charlotte Sullivan Wild (Love, Violet - illustrated by Charlene Chua, FSG), who is creating Instagram slides for the week featuring queer picture books, on a theme each day. Here's Charlotte's first #QueerBookLove #RainbowBookLove post
Another cool initiative to check out is one I've created with Tasslyn Magnusson, WE ARE STRONGER THAN CENSORSHIP which aims to put the brakes on the runaway train of book banning by buying and donating two books for every one challenge or ban.
There are also a lot of great events this week celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of diverse books, including 25 panels* offered by EveryLibrary Live! Banned Books Week Fest and this Banned Books week event (both in-person and live-streamed) with Judy Blume.
PEN America is hosting live events in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Coral Gables, Florida, Austin and Dallas, Texas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Farmington, Utah. SAGE is hosting a Banned Books Week panel*, and the American Library Association has a list of banned books week events here.
There are lots more suggestions for things you can do to fight book banning, including BE STRONG: Things You Can Do About Book Banning, the American Booksellers Association's Right to Read Handbook, and getting involved with Sep 28, 2024 Let Freedom Read Day.
Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee
*full disclosure: these include some online events where I am moderating or a panelist.
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