Freedom to Read Project
@freedomreadproject
Parent-led nonprofit dedicated to protecting access to information in our schools and public libraries. www.freedomtoreadproject.org
Teachers rarely hear from parents who support intellectual freedom. A kind, respectful message reminds them they have allies in the community. A simple email can go a long way. #FreedomToRead #RightToRead #SupportTeachers #Libraries #Education
More than 2 out of every 3 book challenges ended in removal in 2025. According to the ALA, 66% of challenged books were ultimately banned, the highest rate since tracking began in 1990. When review becomes removal, students lose access to diverse ideas. #FreedomToRead
THE LOVELY BONES is a powerful exploration of grief, love, trauma & healing. It invites readers to grapple with difficult realities while honoring the resilience of those left behind. Books that tackle painful subjects are opportunities for empathy, reflection & conversation.
An informed public is essential to a healthy democracy. We hope this guide helps you better understand how education policy takes shape and where you can participate along the way. #FreedomToRead #CivicEducation #EducationPolicy #SchoolBoards #PublicEducation #KnowYourGovernment #DemocracyInAction
Understanding this process helps you know where your voice can make a difference. Whether you contact your legislators, attend a school board meeting, submit public comments, or simply stay informed, civic engagement is most effective when you know how decisions are made.
Education laws don't appear overnight. They move through a series of steps: from an idea, to committee hearings, to legislative votes, to the president’s or governor's desk, and finally to implementation by state agencies and local school districts.
"Don't join the book burners." These words from President Dwight D. Eisenhower are just as relevant today. We don't preserve democracy by hiding difficult history or silencing ideas, we strengthen it by confronting them. The freedom to read protects our freedom to learn. #FreedomToRead
THEY CALLED US ENEMY by George Takei is a powerful graphic memoir about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII. When nonfiction books like this are removed from school libraries, students lose access to firsthand history & the chance to learn from our nation's past.
School board elections matter & so do the questions we ask. Whether you're attending a candidate forum, meeting candidates in your community, or sending an email, asking thoughtful questions about the freedom to read can help voters better understand where candidates stand on the freedom to read.
This is not a coincidence. When stories representing marginalized communities are disproportionately targeted, students lose access to perspectives that foster empathy, understanding, and belonging. Every reader deserves to see themselves (and others) reflected on library shelves.
SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL tells the true story of Sylvia Mendez's fight to end school segregation before Brown v. Board of Education. When books like this are challenged, students lose access to documented history and the chance to learn from those who changed our country.
Every purchase is a vote for the world you want to build. Support independent bookstores, borrow challenged books from your library, and invest in publishers and organizations defending the freedom to read. Every intentional choice helps keep diverse stories available for future readers.
Protecting the freedom to read doesn't mean everyone has to agree with every book or every idea. It means defending the right to explore different perspectives, ask questions, and think critically. When we protect the freedom to read, we help protect the freedoms that make open dialogue possible.
J IS FOR JUSTICE: AN ACTIVISM ALPHABET encourages young readers to explore fairness, empathy, community, and civic engagement. Despite being a nonfiction picture book, it's one of many informational titles challenged or removed from schools.
Standing up for the freedom to read starts locally, but you don't have to do it alone. We have tips and resources for you whether you are new to advocacy or are a seasoned pro. Looking for info we don’t have yet? Let us know! We’ll do our best to get it to you.
22,810. That's how many instances of books were banned in U.S. public schools from 2021–2025, according to PEN America. Behind every number is a student who lost access to a book and new ideas. Read. Learn. Speak up. Defend the freedom to read. #FreedomToRead #BookBans #RightToRead
Let's choose our workbook winners! If you didn't win, don't worry, you can download our digital version FOR FREE on our website: www.freedomtoreadproject.org/turning_the_...
STAMPED: RACISM, ANTIRACISM, AND YOU by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi challenges readers to think critically about the history of race in America & how those ideas continue to shape our world today. This book gives readers the tools to ask questions, examine history & engage w/ complex issues.
We're giving away THREE paperback copies of Turning the Page: An Advocate's Guide to the Freedom to Read, a physical workbook that isn't available anywhere else! Want to enter? 📚 Like this post 📚 Follow us 📚 Comment with the state where you're fighting for the freedom to read
The freedom to read isn't about agreeing with every idea, perspective, or story. It's about protecting the right to explore them. When access to books is restricted because some people dislike their content, everyone loses a piece of their freedom. #FreedomToRead #RightToRead #FreeExpression
Eric Carle's Draw Me a Star celebrates creativity, imagination, and curiosity. Books like this shouldn't be banned, they encourage children to explore ideas, ask questions, and see the world through wonder. Every child deserves access to stories that inspire them to think and create.
Why does the Freedom to Read Project defend the First Amendment? Because the freedom to read is connected to the freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. We believe people, not politicians or pressure groups, should decide what they read and what ideas they explore.
When people think of book challenges, they often imagine concerned parents. But according to the American Library Association, 92% of book challenges in 2025 were initiated by pressure groups, government officials, administrators, and other decision-makers. Who is driving censorship matters.
The Upside of Unrequited is a funny, heartfelt YA novel about family, friendship, first love, and finding where you belong. Its authentic LGBTQ characters and relatable themes help readers feel seen, build empathy, and celebrate the many ways people create family and community.
Pride Month is the perfect time to discover a new LGBTQ+ book! Whether you're looking for a mirror that reflects your own experiences or a window into someone else's, queer stories offer insight, empathy, and unforgettable characters. Read widely. Read boldly. Celebrate the freedom to read.
“One piece of data about banned books that always surprises people is that the vast majority of the books being banned are not new books. That means the average publication date of the books banned over the last five years is 18 years old...