News & Features

Our top stories of the week address thoughtful depiction of disability in books for kids and the latest news in censorship, including taking a stand against it.

Music mogul Jay-Z is working with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to combat book bans; Ta-Nehisi Coates attended a school board meeting to support a teacher told to stop using his book; President Obama joins public library Tik Toks to spread the message about the importance of access to books; and more.

Thoughtful, accurate visual portrayals of disabilities characterize these 2023 releases.

The Florida teachers' union has its case against the state dismissed, and book banning battles in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Nevada are highlighted in this week's Censorship News.

The author discusses her Newbery-winning novel, the character development, research, the importance of tackling hard topics with middle grade readers, and more.

EveryLibrary and GLAAD teamed up to offer practical advice for fighting censorship in your community; the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) announces its 2023 Best Book Awards; and publishing news from Baker & Taylor and Nosy Crow in this edition of News Bites.

This collection of true life stories will certainly provide comfort and guidance to anyone trying to articulate and express their identity, but may also broaden the horizons of those around them and perhaps help the world become a more positive and inclusive place where everyone may feel valued.

Readers can find magic in these pages, from an alternate Shakespearean London to a modern high school. Share these stories featuring LGBTQIA+ characters with teens during Pride Month and throughout the year.

The report “Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools,” released Thursday, shows a 28 percent increase in book bans over the last six months, reflecting the impact of state legislation on censorship efforts across the country.