Student Advocates for Speech Celebrate Banned Books Week
The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Impact and Legacy Fund (SCBWI ILF) have joined forces to create a powerful new resource in the fight against book banning.
We are excited to present an 11-minute video featuring heartfelt and informed testimonials from high school students across the country, all members of NCAC’s Student Advocates for Speech (SAS) program. These students share how banned books like The Color Purple, Maus, This Book is Gay, All Boys Aren’t Blue, and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret have profoundly impacted their lives. Their stories underscore why the right to read diverse literature is vital in a democratic society.
This video is more than just a collection of testimonials—it’s a tool for you to use it in conversations, promotions, and educational settings to highlight the extraordinary impact of banned books and to champion the intellectual rights of young readers. Please feel free to use this video in its entirety or create clips at your discretion.
Celebrate the freedom to read by creating a conversation about banned books!
NCAC’s Student Advocates for Speech have also teamed up with the New York Historical Society Museum & Library to create ‘shelf-talkers’ for some of their favorite banned books! We are thrilled to be able to share these downloadable ‘shelf-talkers’ for use at your local library or bookstore!
We encourage you to use these resources, along with those available at BannedBooksWeek.org/resources, to oppose censorship in our communities and defend the rights of young people!
Alisa
Ohio
Alisa is a rising senior at William Mason High School in Ohio. Passionate about freedom of expression in education, she has worked towards reshaping high school discourse through meetings with the school administration and the creation of a facilitation training course. She’s also incredibly interested in youth civic engagement and genuine human interaction.
Download Here
Anny
New York
Hi, I’m Anny and I’m currently a rising senior from New York. I love visiting museums, cooking and volunteering for the community. I’ve worked on exhibitions at the Brooklyn Children’s museum and crafted papers to address ways to increase civic engagement amongst high school students. I’m super excited about this opportunity in which I hoped to learn how to elevate the people’s voice further.
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Bryce
California
My name is Bryce McCague, and I am a junior in San Diego, CA. I participate in my school’s music program, playing various instruments, from mellophone for marching season to trumpet for jazz and cello during orchestra. I volunteer with Ride Across California as a youth support member, an organization that challenges 5th graders to set achievable goals to accomplish monumental tasks, specifically a 269-mile bike ride during Spring Break. I am active in my school community and recently established a banned book library for students and staff to access.
Download Here
Delano
Georgia
Hi, I’m Delano. I’m a high school senior and avid tennis player who is interested in fighting censorship. Two of my favorite books are “The Kite Runner” and “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.” I am excited to be a part of SAS this year, and I’m excited to make a change!
Download Here
Emily
California
Emily Pedroza is a teen writer based in San Jose, California. She believes words and narratives are crucial for collective healing. Outside of writing (+ staring blankly at Google Docs pages) and stalking her favorite poets on Twitter, you can find her curled reading paperbacks under sheets.
Download Here
Gayatri
Illinois
Hi! My name is Gayatri Chakoo and I’m currently a senior at Adlai E Stevenson High School. I am part of our school’s ethics bowl team and am a huge advocate for students employing their voices to make change. I am also a student leader at the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic where we discuss the numerous challenges low income families face with legal equity. I’m really looking forward to working with the Student Advocates for Speech!
Download Here
Jacqueline
Massachusetts
Hi, my name is Jacqueline, and I’m a rising junior from Cambridge, Massachusetts. I’m passionate about swimming, anything related to STEM, playing the violin, and advocating for literacy in underserved communities. I’m excited to amplify the voices of the youth and drive meaningful change in my community by defending the value of free speech!
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Laura
Iowa
Hello, my name is Laura and I’m a senior from Bettendorf, Iowa. I am involved in many school and community organizations, including National Honor Society, Ethics Bowl, journalism, and the Teen Leadership Committee at my local library. I’m passionate about advocating for student press and speech freedoms and am excited to work with the NCAC this year!
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Lyla
Ohio
My name is Lyla Stockberger and I am a senior at Northridge High School in Ohio. I play soccer and basketball and I love to read. I am also a library aide in my school’s 6-12 library.
Mariama
Illinois
Hello, my name is Mariama and I’m a junior! I’m part of my school’s debate team and I am co-head of a social change club that I helped create, among other things. I enjoy reading, writing, and long talks with friends. I believe that change begins with the youth and as a member of SAS, I’m excited to be part of a group that believes in protecting our voices from those who would see us silent.
Download Here
Rebekah
Missouri
Hi, I’m Bekah Davis. I am 17 and going into my senior year of highschool. I enjoy spending time playing soccer and volunteering at the local diaper pantry.
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Saffron
Maryland
Hi! My name is Saffron, and I am a rising junior in Baltimore City. I have a passion for reading, writing, and serving my community. I aspire to be a published author and hope to get youth more interested in reading books. I’m excited to work with this program and hope to make a difference with my peers.
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Taz
New York
Hello, my name is Taz, and I am a rising senior in high school from Albany, New York. In my spare time, I enjoy playing guitar, biking, and baking. I am happy to be a part of the NCAC’s Student Advocates for Speech program, and I look forward to promoting free expression and empowering my peers to stand up for their beliefs.
Download Here
Yuki
California
Hi, my name is Yuki Matsumura and I am a rising junior at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, CA. I am passionate about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in my community and bridging the gap in digital literacy. Outside of advocacy work, I enjoy solving jigsaw puzzles, singing as a member of my school’s jazz choir, and spending time with my puppy.
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