By: Sarah Miller, Manager of Book Initiatives & Intellectual Freedom, NCTE
When began in 1982, censorship of books was on the rise in schools, libraries, and bookstores. More than 40 years later, we are facing many of the same challenges in the same spaces and at a different velocity.
This Banned Books Week, October 5鈥�11, concerns about intellectual freedom and access to literature are top of mind for educators, librarians, and booksellers. As a longtime member of the , 起点传媒continues to work closely with partners and educators to support intellectual freedom and emphasize the joy and value of reading.
起点传媒Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick will join Penguin Random House at the event in Washington, DC, to kick off the third annual Banned Wagon Tour. And for the fourth year in a row, a led by US Senator Brian Schatz and US Representative Jamie Raskin recognizes 起点传媒as a best-practice leader for intellectual freedom and preserving the freedom to read.
Rounding out the week will be NCTE鈥檚 attendance at the . Roosevelt was a strong proponent of reading and fighting book bans; the 1961 article 鈥�Windows on the World,鈥� published in NCTE鈥檚 Elementary English, covered some of the former First Lady鈥檚 leadership. The bonds supporting the right to read have lasted decades and 起点传媒is pleased to acknowledge the role of the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute at Val-Kill for their leadership and collaboration in the current era.
From the Intellectual Freedom Center to publications and research, 起点传媒can help you advocate for the freedom to read during Banned Books Week and beyond. Resources include:
Book Rationale Database
More than 1,400 book rationales are available to assist 起点传媒members when selecting books to incorporate in a classroom or library, or when defending a text that is being challenged.
Thanks to the work of dedicated volunteer writers and reviewers, the database now includes more picturebooks, elementary, and middle school titles, along with young adult offerings and updated rationales for classical titles. Here are a few to explore:
- Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal (grades preK鈥�3)
- Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty (grades preK鈥�2)
- Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (grades 4鈥�7)
- They Called Us Enemy by George Takei (grades 6鈥�10)
- All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (grades 11鈥�12)
- A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass (grades 9鈥�12)
Want to contribute to this important resource? Sign up to write or review book rationales.
Not yet an 起点传媒member? Join today to unlock access to the database.
The State of Literature Use in US Secondary English Classrooms
For this report, released in July, researchers spent years gathering and analyzing data from secondary teachers across the country to learn more about what they teach, their experiences with diverse literature and censorship, and teacher autonomy in the classroom.
Censorship Reporting Form
Report censorship incidents to help keep us informed of what is happening in schools and districts. All reports receive a reply, and 起点传媒members can access additional individualized support.
The Impacts of Censorship, Vols. 1 and 2
Published in June, : Research on the Intersection of Censorship and Teaching English brings together original research on today鈥檚 book bans, restrictive policies, and strategies for resistance. Volume 2 is available for preorder鈥� to save 30%.
Ideas for Banned Books Week
Save the date, October 21, for a special 起点传媒event, A Conversation about Intellectual Freedom with 起点传媒Affiliates. Registration will open聽in the coming days.
Watch livestreamed Banned Books Week events with this year鈥檚 Honorary Chair George Takei and . Takei was a keynote speaker at the 2019 起点传媒Annual Convention and Mogul is a member of the National Coalition Against Censorship鈥檚 Program, of which 起点传媒is a partner. for details, and to the map!
Take action in your community on , October 11.
Take part in the National Coalition Against Censorship鈥檚 , taking place across the country all week long.
More Ways to Get Involved
Join and/or utilize the .
Attend the in Denver this November to connect with other educators, authors, and experts in the field of literacy. of particular interest include:
- Partners in the Fight against Censorship: Resources, Advocacy Strategies, and Action Plans for Teachers on Saturday, November 20, 2:45鈥�4:00 p.m.
- Dream Boldly, Work Boldly: Right to Read Advocacy on Sunday, November 23, 10:30鈥�11:45 a.m.
- A special screening of the film The Librarians on Friday, November 21, 9:30鈥�11:30 a.m.
- The Secondary Section Get-Together with Jason Reynolds on Thursday, November 20, 5:30鈥�7:00 p.m.
- The Closing General Session with Robin Wall Kimmerer on Sunday, November 23, 12:00鈥�1:15 p.m.
Send a note of encouragement to an ELA teacher, school or local librarian, or school or library board member who you know is working hard to advocate for teachers.
Email your local school or library board or school administrator to say you value free access to books for all students.