Tasslyn Magnusson is a senior advisor with the Freedom to Read program at PEN America. She researches censorship attempts in the K-12 libraries and supports PEN America’s work in creating resources to support authors whose work is targeted. Tasslyn received her BA from University of Minnesota-Morris, MA from Hamline University and a PhD in American History from Case Western Reserve University. After twenty years of work in the fundraising sector in Cleveland, California, and Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Tasslyn returned to school, receiving an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University in Saint Paul, MN. Her poems have been published in Rogue Agent Journal, Room Magazine, The Mom Egg Review, and others. She was nominated for a 2018 and 2020 Pushcart Prize in poetry. Her chapbook, “defining,” (dancing girl press) was published in January 2019.
Tasslyn Magnusson
Senior Advisor, Freedom to Read
Articles by Tasslyn Magnusson
Thursday July 18
The State of Book Bans: Wisconsin’s Battle with “Parental Rights”
Even without a “parental rights” law on the books, the rhetoric and associated policies have led to chaos in schools and libraries across Wisconsin.
Tuesday May 7
Book Banners Take the Fight to Public Libraries
Libraries are curated by sensible systems to help patrons access books that are best suited for their age, interests, information needs, etc.
Friday January 19
25 books banned in Marietta, Georgia, over parent objections
Eleven of the 25 books banned in Marietta are written by LGBTQ+ authors and/or include LGBTQ+ characters.