Censorship and the fight for intellectual freedom led our most viewed stories of the year, along with recommendations toward “Refreshing the Canon,” a joint project with NCTE.

Update: Judge Rules Against School Librarian Amanda Jones in Civil Case
Amanda Jones took her harassers to court but lost the case in September. In October, the 2021 School Librarian of the Year filed for a new trial.

What's It Like to Be the Target of A Book Banning Effort? School Librarian Martha Hickson Tells Her Story.
A New Jersey school librarian, offered a revealing account of her experience at the center of an attempt to remove books from her library. She also presents ideas for the ongoing fight against censorship.

President of the Ukrainian Library Association to the World: "We are at the forefront of the fight against fakes, misinformation, and cyber threats!"
The president of the Ukrainian Library Association reached out to the world's library community after the Russian invasion began in February.

Refreshing the Canon Booklist
SLJ and NCTE collaborated to create 18 booklists of titles to replace, or use as a companion to, canon “classics.”

Educators Weigh In on Summer Reading Lists in SLJ/NCTE survey
Suggestions include culling To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, and works by Shakespeare, as well as adding New Kid and Firekeeper's Daughter, among other titles. 

2022 Youth Media Award Winners
While educators faced attempts to ban books nationwide, the children’s literature world held up the best of the year. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera won the Newbery Medal on the 100th anniversary of the award. Watercress, illustrated by Jason Chin, won the Caldecott Medal.

Louisiana Librarian Amanda Jones Fights Back Against Online Attacks
The middle school librarian took her harassers to court.

After Her Book Displays Drew Criticism, Librarian Elissa Malespina Lost Her Job. She's Here to Say “I'm Not OK with This.”
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.

“Read Banned Books,” LeVar Burton Tells Kids. “That’s Where the Good Stuff Is.”
You know things are bad when LeVar Burton can’t get through a read-aloud. The actor and beloved “Reading Rainbow” host dropped by The Daily Show With Trevor Noah with a serious message on censorship.

Read Free Poster
To support teachers and librarians in the face of ongoing censorship, School Library Journal and Penguin Random House—in partnership with PEN America, NCAC, NCTE, FReadom, and Library Journal—created a poster that vividly illustrates the importance of intellectual freedom.