Cranbury Pubic Library is celebrating Banned Books Week all month long. We’ve compiled a reading list of the top 101 most banned and challenged books in our collection. We’re encouraging everyone to read at least one book from the list this month, and all participants will receive a Let Freedom Read bookmark from the ALA and be entered into a drawing to win a reading advocacy bracelet.
Stop by for a free book! To mark Banned Books Week, we’re giving away copies of some recently published books that have been banned or challenged because they address sexuality, race, gender, and other topics. All are welcome. Join us on the Diag in front of the Hatcher Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
This year’s theme, “Let Freedom Read!” faces off against the spread of book bans, both nationwide and here in Michigan. Along with free books (until we run out), you’ll find information about actions you can take to fight back, because the freedom to read is essential to a functioning democracy.
Choose your book from these titles:
Gender Queer: A Memoir
by Maia Kobabe
A graphic novel about coming out as nonbinary. Currently the most-banned book in America.
The 1619 Project
by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Anthology of essays that seeks to reframe American history with the institution of slavery at its core.
All Boys Aren’t Blue
by George M. Johnson
Series of personal essays following the author’s journey growing up as a queer Black man in Plainfield, New Jersey, and Virginia.
The Hill We Climb
by Amanda Gorman
Spoken word poem recited at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, calling for unity and justice after the riot at the Capitol.
Queer: A Graphic History
by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele
A graphic history of LGBTQ+ people and movements.
Milk and Honey
by Rupi Kaur
Collection of poetry and prose about survival — about the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity.
Crank
by Ellen Hopkins
Novel based loosely on the real-life addictions of the author’s daughter to crystal meth.
Salvage the Bones
by Jesmyn Ward
Gritty but tender novel about a black family and poverty in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.
An Indigenous History of the United States
by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
History of the U.S. told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples.
The Glass Castle
by Jeannette Walls
Memoir chronicling an eccentric and deeply dysfunctional family that is also resilient and tight-knit.
All-American Muslim Girl
by Nadine Jolie Courtney
Fictional story of being caught between two worlds, examining matters of subtle and blatant Islamophobia, privilege and erasure, and questions of faith and identity.
Dear Martin
by Nic Stone
Novel where a young Black teen grapples with racism — after a traffic stop turns violent at the hands of the police — and what it means for his future.
All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Novel telling the story of two teenage boys as they handle racism and police brutality in their community.
They Called Us Enemy
by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven R. Scott, and Harmony Becker
Graphic novel about childhood experiences during the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.
This One Summer
by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
Graphic novel coming-of-age story about two teen friends discovering the emotional complexities of young adult life.
Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America
by Ijeoma Oluo
A cultural history of white male masculinity in America and how it affects our political and social lives today.
This event is part of the fall Arts & Resistance theme semester sponsored by the U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; the U-M Museum of Art; and the U-M Arts Initiative to explore how the visual, performing, and literary arts play a central role in shaping cultural and political narratives. This project was made possible by a grant from the U-M Arts Initiative.
Stop by for a free book! To mark Banned Books Week, we’re giving away copies of some recently published books that have been banned or challenged because they address sexuality, race, gender, and other topics. All are welcome. Join us on the Diag in front of the Hatcher Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
This year’s theme, “Let Freedom Read!” faces off against the spread of book bans, both nationwide and here in Michigan. Along with free books (until we run out), you’ll find information about actions you can take to fight back, because the freedom to read is essential to a functioning democracy.
Choose your book from these titles:
Gender Queer: A Memoir
by Maia Kobabe
A graphic novel about coming out as nonbinary. Currently the most-banned book in America.
The 1619 Project
by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Anthology of essays that seeks to reframe American history with the institution of slavery at its core.
All Boys Aren’t Blue
by George M. Johnson
Series of personal essays following the author’s journey growing up as a queer Black man in Plainfield, New Jersey, and Virginia.
The Hill We Climb
by Amanda Gorman
Spoken word poem recited at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, calling for unity and justice after the riot at the Capitol.
Queer: A Graphic History
by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele
A graphic history of LGBTQ+ people and movements.
Milk and Honey
by Rupi Kaur
Collection of poetry and prose about survival — about the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity.
Crank
by Ellen Hopkins
Novel based loosely on the real-life addictions of the author’s daughter to crystal meth.
Salvage the Bones
by Jesmyn Ward
Gritty but tender novel about a black family and poverty in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.
An Indigenous History of the United States
by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
History of the U.S. told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples.
The Glass Castle
by Jeannette Walls
Memoir chronicling an eccentric and deeply dysfunctional family that is also resilient and tight-knit.
All-American Muslim Girl
by Nadine Jolie Courtney
Fictional story of being caught between two worlds, examining matters of subtle and blatant Islamophobia, privilege and erasure, and questions of faith and identity.
Dear Martin
by Nic Stone
Novel where a young Black teen grapples with racism — after a traffic stop turns violent at the hands of the police — and what it means for his future.
All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Novel telling the story of two teenage boys as they handle racism and police brutality in their community.
They Called Us Enemy
by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven R. Scott, and Harmony Becker
Graphic novel about childhood experiences during the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.
This One Summer
by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
Graphic novel coming-of-age story about two teen friends discovering the emotional complexities of young adult life.
Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America
by Ijeoma Oluo
A cultural history of white male masculinity in America and how it affects our political and social lives today.
This event is part of the fall Arts & Resistance theme semester sponsored by the U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; the U-M Museum of Art; and the U-M Arts Initiative to explore how the visual, performing, and literary arts play a central role in shaping cultural and political narratives. This project was made possible by a grant from the U-M Arts Initiative.
Stop by for a free book! To mark Banned Books Week, we’re giving away copies of some recently published books that have been banned or challenged because they address sexuality, race, gender, and other topics. All are welcome. Join us on the Diag in front of the Hatcher Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
This year’s theme, “Let Freedom Read!” faces off against the spread of book bans, both nationwide and here in Michigan. Along with free books (until we run out), you’ll find information about actions you can take to fight back, because the freedom to read is essential to a functioning democracy.
Choose your book from these titles:
Gender Queer: A Memoir
by Maia Kobabe
A graphic novel about coming out as nonbinary. Currently the most-banned book in America.
The 1619 Project
by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Anthology of essays that seeks to reframe American history with the institution of slavery at its core.
All Boys Aren’t Blue
by George M. Johnson
Series of personal essays following the author’s journey growing up as a queer Black man in Plainfield, New Jersey, and Virginia.
The Hill We Climb
by Amanda Gorman
Spoken word poem recited at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, calling for unity and justice after the riot at the Capitol.
Queer: A Graphic History
by Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele
A graphic history of LGBTQ+ people and movements.
Milk and Honey
by Rupi Kaur
Collection of poetry and prose about survival — about the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity.
Crank
by Ellen Hopkins
Novel based loosely on the real-life addictions of the author’s daughter to crystal meth.
Salvage the Bones
by Jesmyn Ward
Gritty but tender novel about a black family and poverty in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina.
An Indigenous History of the United States
by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
History of the U.S. told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples.
The Glass Castle
by Jeannette Walls
Memoir chronicling an eccentric and deeply dysfunctional family that is also resilient and tight-knit.
All-American Muslim Girl
by Nadine Jolie Courtney
Fictional story of being caught between two worlds, examining matters of subtle and blatant Islamophobia, privilege and erasure, and questions of faith and identity.
Dear Martin
by Nic Stone
Novel where a young Black teen grapples with racism — after a traffic stop turns violent at the hands of the police — and what it means for his future.
All American Boys
by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Novel telling the story of two teenage boys as they handle racism and police brutality in their community.
They Called Us Enemy
by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven R. Scott, and Harmony Becker
Graphic novel about childhood experiences during the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.
This One Summer
by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
Graphic novel coming-of-age story about two teen friends discovering the emotional complexities of young adult life.
Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America
by Ijeoma Oluo
A cultural history of white male masculinity in America and how it affects our political and social lives today.
This event is part of the fall Arts & Resistance theme semester sponsored by the U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; the U-M Museum of Art; and the U-M Arts Initiative to explore how the visual, performing, and literary arts play a central role in shaping cultural and political narratives. This project was made possible by a grant from the U-M Arts Initiative.
Book bans are on the rise in America, driven by new laws and regulations limiting the kinds of books that kids can access.
This month, we’re hitting the road with the Freedom to Read Foundation, Pen America, and Little Free Library to hand out copies of banned books in some of the most affected communities.
Explore this this site to see whether the Banned Wagon is coming to a city near you, learn about the books we’ll be handing out, and explore more resources to fight book bans!
Book bans in America are more widespread than ever. They must be stopped.
The Banned Wagon: A Vehicle for Change is road-tripping through the South on a mission to get books to the people who need and want them most. Our first stop: Georgia!
Stop by Charis Books & More to get a free banned book (options available for kids, teens, and adults) and merch from Out of Print, learn more about the issue, and join the movement!
And as a bonus, our Atlanta event will feature a Q&A and book signing with Atlantan Nic Stone, author of Dear Martin.
We’ll see you there!
Under the Umbrella Bookstore (UTU) is doing something about book bans. As a special event for Damn These Heels Film Fest, UTU is putting on a Banned Books Reading and Book Swap Oct. 14 to educate about the dangers of book bans and how to push back against them. Participants are encouraged to bring a banned book of their choice to read from or swap at the event.
This event will include featured readers who will share an excerpt from their favorite banned book and an open mic portion. Following this, UTU will offer banned books for sale with a selection available to swap for free.
When: Saturday, October 14, 12-1:30 pm
Where: Rose Wagner Theater, 138 W Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
This year’s banned book week, themed “Let Freedom Read” is Oct. 1-7. One such example of bans in Utah is H.B. 374. Under the Umbrella is a small bookstore and community space with access to LGBTQ+ literature, some of which are the topic of book bans here and around America. The bookstore understands books as important tools for understanding complex issues. By hosting this event, UTU hopes to bring together a community of book lovers and bring awareness to the threat book bans pose.
About Under the Umbrella Bookstore
Under the Umbrella is Utah’s only queer bookstore, sharing and celebrating queer books written by queer authors and offering a safe, sober, and accessible space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to gather.
About Damn These Heels
Damn These Heels, produced by Utah Film Center, is an annual festival that explores LGBTQ issues, ideas, and art by showcasing dramatic and documentary films from around the world.