By Kara Yorio

The National Assessment of Educational Progress released its fourth- and eighth-grade assessment on Monday, showing a three-point decline in reading scores from 2019 testing. 

Elissa Malespina lost her job last spring after a performance review, which cited her book displays on race and LGBTQ themes. The 23-year veteran educator shares her experience to counter censorship and help fellow librarians know they are not alone.

Almost a year since a fall caused a severe concussion, the Newbery winner and The Ogress and the Orphans author is celebrating being a finalist for the National Book Award in Young People's Literature as she continues her recovery.

The free two-day, virtual festival in October will celebrate some of the biggest names in children's literature and share Latinx representation and stories with kids in classrooms across the country.

Demo Defense uses a web tutorial to walk librarians through reporting challenges and finding support, as well as to help the public donate to the organizations fighting against censorship.

The organizations leading the fight for intellectual freedom need data, money, and locally led action—big and small—from people who support the right to read and access materials.

Ahead of Banned Books Week, which begins Sunday, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom released data on challenges from January to August of this year.

This is not the year for reflection, but a call to action. 

In the past year, school librarians have faced coordinated, hate-filled censorship campaigns that impact available books and collection development decisions. Here, they share their stories.