Category: Banned Books Week
Freedom to Read Foundation Banned Book Week Grant Recipients
Every year the Freedom to Read Foundation awards libraries with grants to facilitate programming, outreach, displays and other promotional work around Banned Books Week. These grants are funded out of the Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund. This year’s banned book week theme is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” and will take place at libraries, schools, and booksellers around the country on Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2021. This year four public libraries and one school library were awarded grants.
Upcoming Banned Books Week Events
They reach across boundaries and build connections between readers. Reading—especially books that extend beyond our own experiences—expands our worldview. Censorship, on the other hand, divides us and creates barriers.
Detained for his Words — Sri Lankan Poet Ahnaf Jazeem is an Amnesty International Banned Books Week Case
For Banned Books Week each year, Amnesty International highlights stories of writers, publishers and artists under attack for their published work. In this blog post, we delve into one of this year’s six featured cases – the Sri Lankan poet Ahnaf Jazeem. He has been detained without charge or trial since May 2020. Read on to understand the reasons for his arrest and how to help with his case and for the other featured Banned Books Week cases.
Banned Books Week 2021 Events Across the Country
Banned Books Week is just around the corner (Sept. 26 – Oct. 2, 2021)! Here’s how some libraries, bookstores, and museums are celebrating!
Join the #BannedBooksChat With Jason Reynolds!
Join Banned Books Week and Honorary Chair Jason Reynolds on Monday, August 2, at 4:00 p.m. EDT for a #BannedBooksChat on Twitter!
Apply Now for a Banned Books Week Celebration Grant
Show off your best anti-censorship programs and displays, and apply now through June 4 for a Banned Books Week Celebration Grant.
Jason Reynolds Named Inaugural Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week has never had an honorary chair before but unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures. Jason Reynolds will be the first honorary chair of Banned Books Week and he is excited about it! This year marks the 39th celebration of Banned Books Week since its first celebratory year in 1982. The 2021 theme is Books Unite Us; Censorship Divides Us and it will take place from September 26th to October 2nd.
15 Unforgettable Responses to the 2020 Banned Books List from Authors, Librarians, Readers
The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom recently released the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2020. Here are some reactions and responses from authors, librarians, and readers.
#BannedBooksWeek In Action on Saturday
Here’s a snapshot of how we spent Saturday thanking those who defend the freedom to read. #BannedBooksWeek in Action invites readers to participate in a different activity that spotlights literary activism each day of Banned Books Week.
#BannedBooksWeek In Action on Friday
Here’s a snapshot of how we spent Friday learning from others. #BannedBooksWeek in Action invites readers to participate in a different activity that spotlights literary activism each day of Banned Books Week.