Stand with the Banned: Observing Banned Books Week

September 18-24, 2022 marks Banned Books Week, the annual celebration of the freedom to read.

Recent years have seen a significant rise in the number of book bans and challenges in both school and public libraries in the United States. In support of access to books, we’ve previously compiled a list of resources to combat challenges in your school or library.

By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist

What do young adults get really excited about? Art, music, cosplay? The library is the perfect place to introduce teens to their next great love.

This September we’re celebrating books that highlight science, math, and real-world problem solving!

When you sign up to participate you’ll receive free STEM and STEAM author videos and activities that will electrify lesson plans. We’ll send an email each week in September with links to videos and activities. Make it an exciting STEM-tember and click here to register!

Do you have the goal to read aloud a picture book every day of the school year? Whether you’re experienced or new to this amazing challenge, Lerner has resources you don’t want to miss. We’ve got a list of incredible picture books to delight readers of all ages and interests. We’re also sharing ideas for themes, book suggestions, fun downloads, author read-aloud videos, and more.

On April 4, during National Library Week, ALA released a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021. The YA novel Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez ranked at #4.

Previously on the Lerner blog, Ashley contributed a guest post ahead of Banned Books Week titled “The Right to Read.” In the post she detailed her experience as the author of a challenged book and offered ways educators, parents, and students can resist such challenges.

Since that post there have been more challenges against books in school and public libraries—but there has also been a growing effort to provide librarians, educators, parents, and students with resources to resist these bans. Below, we’ve collected recent coverage of challenges against Out of Darkness, articles on the subject from Ashley Hope Pérez, additional media coverage, and resources from the ALA and others on fighting book challenges in your community.

Click here to see the ALA’s full Top 10 list of banned books and to learn ways of resisting book challenges and embrace the freedom to read.