The New York Public Library (NYPL) and the American Library Association are partnering to invite libraries, school groups, and readers across the country to participate in Books for All—a national initiative to help communities learn about and discuss some of the books that are being banned or challenged, along with ways to take action.
Book bans are surging across the country. 2022 saw record-shattering numbers of book challenges in public and school libraries, with many titles written for young people and featuring LGBTQ+ voices and people of color. 2023 is already on track to outpace those alarming statistics.
In response to this unprecedented surge in censorship, NYPL is providing an array of opportunities for teens across the country to exercise the freedom to read:
Teen Banned Book Club: NYPL's Teen Banned Book Club is offering free, nationwide digital access to young adult titles that have been the subject of bans or challenges, along with virtual book club events with the authors of featured book club titles.
Read Freely on SimplyE: NYPL’s free e-reader app, SimplyE, provides immediate access to the latest Teen Banned Book Club title. Readers anywhere in the U.S. can borrow the book for free from the "Books for All" library—no library card required. Each book club title is available to all readers ages 13 and above.
National Teen Writing Contest: At a time of rising book bans and censorship, NYPL invites teens across the United States to enter its national writing contest exploring the importance of the freedom to read and why it is an essential right. The grand prize–winning entry will be published in Teen Vogue in spring 2024! The deadline has also been extended through Friday, December 29—so enter now!
FREE TOOLKIT: Promote Books for All in Your Community
Get access to free tools and resources to promote the books and get your community involved, including flyers, discussion guides, and more.
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