Banned Books Week
Since it was founded in 1982, Banned Books Week has highlighted the value of free and open access to information by drawing attention to the attempts to remove books and other materials from libraries, schools, and bookstores. For young people, in particular, books offer both shared, and different lived experiences that help them develop empathy and understand themselves and their world. In turn, censorship isolates us from each other by narrowing our view of the world.
The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) is a proud Banned Books Week Coalition member and a supporter of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Book Challenges In 2021
Oppose Removing Books from Schools
Most Challenged Books of 2021
“The long history of book banning in America gives us reason to hope that the freedom to read will prevail—but only if we fight for it.”
– Chris Finan, Executive Director, NCAC
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT FREE EXPRESSION?
Know Your Rights!
This page contains resources to help advocates in classrooms, libraries and homes to fight for the freedom to read.
Teach Banned Books
NCAC has created a virtual Banned Books Week Inquiry Center that provides lesson plans to empower educators to navigate difficult discussions on censorship and challenged books with middle and high school students.
Talk About Banned Books
A Kids Book About Banned Books explains what book banning is and empowers adults and young readers to have thoughtful conversations on how reading and having access to information helps foster meaningful connections through education and lifelong learning.
TAKE ACTION
Join Unite Against Book Bans
Join thousands of others and sign up for Unite Against Book Bans, a national grassroots campaign to engage the public in the fight against censorship.
Fight Censorship In Schools and Libraries
NCAC’s Youth Free Expression Program and Kids’ Right to Read Project database tracks censorship incidents in schools and libraries.
Use Your Voice
NCAC’s resources help activists, educators, students, artists and all citizens promote free expression and challenge censorship.
Buy a journal. Fight Censorship!
Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week Reading Challenge, published by Sourcebooks, an imprint of ALA Neal-Schuman, presents readers with a different banned or challenged book to explore each week. Sourcebooks will donate 25% of the profits from sales of the journal to The National Coalition Against Censorship and Unite Against Book Bans.
Report Censorship to NCAC
One of the best ways to fight censorship is to call it out as it happens. Your communication with the NCAC is private and confidential. We will not share your information with anyone or take any actions without your permission.