What To Read

Banned Books Week is this week from September 22 to 28! This annual event, organized by a coalition of organizations including the American Library Association, invites readers like you to oppose censorship and celebrate the value of upholding free access to books. Here are a few ways to get involved:

➳ Read Banned Books

Book banning is an attempt to erase the voices, ideas and even identities of others. By reading books under attack, you are supporting authors who often represent marginalized groups in society. In the words of New York Public Library president Tony Marx, "every banned book you choose to read and learn from brings an important human voice back to life." A few recommendations:

Required Reading

On the eve of the release of his first nonfiction book in 10 years, it's a great time to revisit Ta-Nehisi Coates's National Book Award winning Between the World and Me from 2015. As recently as last year, Coates attended a school board meeting in South Carolina to support a high school teacher who had been told to stop assigning his book, which is one of the most acclaimed books of all time on the experience of being Black in America. Pamela Newkirk described it best in her review when the book came out: "Poignant, revelatory and exceedingly wise, Between the World and Me is an essential clarion call to our collective conscience. We ignore it at our own peril."

Tertulia's Banned Book Favorites

For inspiration, the team here at Tertulia put together a list of 10 backlist banned gems that we loved: Toni Morrison's masterpiece, which is the 10th most banned book of all time; Jonathan Safran Foer's post 9/11 novel, which is one of the most banned books in school libraries; even this mega-successful true crime classic, banned for being too "pornographic." How many of these banned books have you read?

10 Banned Masterpieces Every Kid Should Read

This selection of books just begins to scratch the surface of all the enriching and important children's books that have been under attack. From perennial favorites like Harriet the Spy to Newbery Award winners like The Giver, celebrate these books with your family by reserving them at your local library or saving them to your TBR list on Tertulia!

That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America

Small town librarian Amanda Jones had been called a groomer or porn-pusher and even faced death threats due to her support of books with diverse perspectives. Part memoir, part manifesto, her inspiring story is told in this new book that maps the book manning crisis across the nation.

➳ Take Action

The Banned Books Week coalition has designated September 28 as Let Freedom Read Day, an official day of action. They are asking supporters to take at least one action to help defend books from censorship and to stand up for those who make them available.

In collaboration with the Independent Book Publishers Association, the non-profit EveryLibrary recently launched a new program to supply diverse books to young readers and counteract book banning efforts called We Are Stronger Than Censorship. Learn about their grassroots approach, donate or support them by buying some cool merch.

➳ Support Your Local Library

Now, more than ever, it's a good idea to donate, volunteer or join the Friends of the Library at your local branch. The past three years of book bans and challenges have put librarians under siege, and libraries can use all the support they can get. To learn what your local library needs in terms of support, ask a librarian to share their ideas for how you can support them in your community or volunteer. Make sure your local elected officials know how much you support libraries, too, as they rely on government funding!