Unified Voices Summit in Florida: Educators, Authors, Faith Leaders and Activists Organize for the Right to Read
The Unified Voices Summit July 12-13 brings together authors, educators, students, teacher’s unions, faith leaders, and activists from across the state to solidify and mobilize the growing grassroots movement… More
Trouble in Censorville: Teachers Describe Trauma Inflicted in the War on Education
Depression. Social isolation. Insomnia, weight gain, hair loss. These are some of the symptoms that 14 public school teachers describe experiencing in Trouble in Censorville, a collection of oral… More
Nearly 3,400 Books Were Banned in Iowa
Schools across Iowa pulled at least 3,400 books – including Captain Underpants, the Holocaust memoirs Maus, dozens of classics, and books written for young readers. More
South Carolina Lawmakers to Reject New Restrictions to Evaluate Books in Public Schools
We are writing to urge South Carolina’s legislative body to halt Regulations 43-170 which are slated to go into effect on June 25th unless the General Assembly amends the… More
More than 50 Books Removed from Rockingham County, Virginia, Schools
PEN America sent a letter to Rockingham County, Virginia schools protesting its recent book bans. These are the books banned in Rockingham County. More
Elana K. Arnold: The Role of the Writer for YA and Children’s Literature
In this Member Spotlight interview, Elana K. Arnold talks about her experience as a YA author navigating the book banning epidemic. More
‘The Color Purple’ and 30 Other Banned and Challenged Books You Should Be Watching
Dozens of banned and challenged books have been adapted for the screen, and while they aren’t all Oscar nominees, many are as beloved as the books. More
Khaled Hosseini Shares Heartfelt Letter to Book Banners
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was returned to shelves in Brevard County, Florida. Hosseini wrote a letter to the school board citing the letters he receives from students… More
More than 1,600 books banned in Escambia County, Florida
Five dictionaries are on Escambia County's list of more than 1,600 books banned pending investigation in December 2023, along with eight different encyclopedias, The Guinness Book of World Records,… More
101-Year-Old Grace Linn: ‘Banning Books and Burning Books Are the Same’
Others protesting book bans have held up signs in protest. Grace Linn held up a quilt. The 101-year-old talked to PEN America about the importance of spreading the word… More