
NATIONAL COALITION OF AUTHORS FORMS TO COMBAT BOOK BANS AND CHALLENGES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
Authors Against Book Bans Mobilizes Authors, Illustrators, Audiobook Narrators, and Translators to Support the Freedom to Read
NEW YORK, NY, JUNE 26, 2024 – With more than 1500 founding members, Authors Against Book Bans (AABB) officially launched as the author and creator wing of the fight to protect the freedom to read. The group aims to organize authors on the national and local levels to support grassroots groups already fighting book bans and challenges around the United States.
The organization’s members represent writers, illustrators and creators throughout children’s and adult literature united around a single issue: opposition to the growing numbers of book bans around the country. Members include bestselling and critically-acclaimed authors and illustrators Elizabeth Acevedo, Judy Blume, Alexander Chee, Dhonielle Clayton, Oghenechovwe Ekpeki, Lev Grossman, Daniel Handler, Maia Kobabe, Emily St. John Mandel, Julia Quinn, V.E. Schwab, Kate Spencer, Emma Straub, Raina Telgemeier and more.
Partnering with local organizations already working to combat book bans and challenges, AABB is able to tap into its far-reaching network of authors to support legislators, school leaders, librarians and citizens contending with draconian book bans. Member authors attend school board meetings, meet with state, local and national legislators, and advocate for people fighting to access books and materials wherever challenges occur.
“We know that book bans are rising exponentially across the country. From Idaho and Utah to California and New York City, challenges are specifically targeting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors,” says Maggie Tokuda-Hall, author and member of the AABB national leadership team. “The censorship of these books sends a devastating and unacceptable message to members of these communities. Every reader deserves to see themselves and their families in the books in schools and libraries. The people working to keep these books on shelves around the country are incredibly brave, and Authors Against Book Bans is a growing army ready to support them in their fight.”
With membership in all fifty states and Washington, DC, the work of Authors Against Book Bans includes:
- A framework for authors to organize locally in support of grassroots anti-book banning work,
- Legislative advocacy opposing book bans and challenges at all levels,
- Strategic calls to action for member authors to speak on the importance of the freedom to read around the country,
- Support and encouragement for the educators, librarians, parents, and students who are the first line of defense against censorship, and for the authors whose books are under attack.
“Authors know the power of books. We know that the freedom to read and to choose books for ourselves and our families is essential to ensuring that our communities thrive,” says David Levithan, author and member of the AABB national leadership team. “The time has come for authors to come together and stand in solidarity on this issue, and the work of our growing membership is clear: we support authors whose work is challenged, and we support the teachers, librarians, families and students who are on the frontlines defending our books. They are not alone; authors stand with them.”
To learn more or join the organization, visit AuthorsAgainstBookBans.com.
About Authors Against Book Bans
Launched in Spring 2024, Authors Against Book Bans is united against the deeply unconstitutional movement to limit the freedom to read. Through regional and local chapters, the organization unequivocally supports the availability of diverse voices on our library shelves, in our schools, and in our culture. AABB pledges to band together against the oppression of literature, to speak when voices are silenced, to go where bodies are needed, and to fight to ensure the freedom to read.
AABB launched in partnership with organizations working to stamp out the growing numbers of bans and challenges, including We Need Diverse Books, EveryLibrary, SCBWI, PEN America, and The Authors Guild. The organization’s founding leadership team includes, Samira Ahmed, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Gayle Forman, Alan Gratz, Joanna Ho, Brendan Kiely, David Levithan, Sarah MacLean, Ellen Oh, Celeste Pewter, Christina Soontornvat, and Maggie Tokuda-Hall. To learn more or join AABB, please visit AuthorsAgainstBookBans.com.
Contact: Sarah MacLean media@authorsagainstbookbans.com or Kristin Dwyer, LEO PR, kdwyer@leoprny.com