Today, the fundamental freedom to read is facing more challenges than ever. Children’s books are constant targets of book-banning efforts in school systems and public libraries. Random House Children’s Books is committed to those who stand against censorship, and we continue to publish books that celebrate the freedom of expression. We are proud to support our authors’ right to write and our readers’ right to read.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
—The First Amendment

We ask you, the educators and librarians who are confronted with censorship issues each and every day, to join with us in utilizing these First Amendment resources to put this issue front and center in classrooms and libraries all over the country. By drawing attention to the issue of censorship, we hope to inspire a passion for securing the freedom to read within young readers everywhere.

Get Involved!

LEARN about strategies.

INCORPORATE discussions and activities about banned books with your students and patrons.

DOWNLOAD the Support Banned Books Week Brochure for even more classroom lessons and activities.

DOWNLOAD the Censorship Causes Blindness Poster and Bookmark.

For more information on Banned Books Week, VISIT: http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/.

“[I]t’s not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.”
—Judy Blume

“Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.”
—Supreme Court Justice, William O. Douglas