LibraryGuides: Banned Books: External Resources

Discussing Challenging Book Topics with Kids and Teens

From our colleagues at The Freedom to Read Project

Books open the door to important conversations.

When kids read about tough topics—like identity, injustice, or mental health—talking with them builds trust, empathy, and critical thinking. Don't shy away; lean in. Your support helps them understand the world and their place in it.

Listen first: Ask open-ended questions to understand their thoughts and feelings.
Be honest, but age appropriate: Give clear, truthful answers that match their maturity level.
Encourage critical thinking: Discuss different perspectives and lessons from the story.
Relate topics to real life: Connect themes to history, current events, or personal values.
Create a safe space: Let them know it’s okay to ask tough questions.

By engaging openly, you empower young readers to grow into thoughtful, informed, and compassionate individuals ready to navigate a complex world.

The Freedom to Read Project
Exists to develop education and research materials to help limit book bans and education censorship across the country. We support robust, content-rich classroom, school, and public libraries and oppose the removal of books based on ideological, partisan, or religious reasons.

External Resources

ACLU: Banned Books Week Interactive Infographic
The ACLU has always vigilantly defended the First Amendment and the right to free speech. Hover over each book below to learn a bit about its history.
Banned Books Week YouTube Channel
The Banned Books Virtual Read-Out features videos of readers exercising their First Amendment right to read a banned book.
Book Bans | PEN America
PEN America tracks all book bans in libraries and classrooms across the U.S. in our Index of School Book Bans, updated for the 2022-2023 school year.
CBLDF Banned Books Week Handbook
The CBLDF Banned Books Week Handbook is a free resource that gives you the scoop about what comics are banned, how to report and fight censorship, and how to make a celebration of Banned Books Week in your community!
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals.
Intellectual Freedom Blog
The Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association. The Intellectual Freedom Blog’s purpose is to educate and encourage discussions about intellectual freedom principles, and promote the value of libraries, librarians, and professional membership in the American Library Association.
LGBTQ Right to Read Resources
The National Coalition Against Censorship | Resources
Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
NCAC’S Book Censorship Action Kit
We present this collection of materials on how to effectively fight challenges to books in schools for the use of students, educators, parents, and authors. This information is not intended as legal advice. If you are embroiled in a censorship controversy, we hope you will consult the resources below for guidance.
Red Wine & Blue
We are a sisterhood working to change the world together, one suburb at a time. Red Wine & Blue provides everything women need to successfully organize in their communities and beyond. Want to get stuff done and have fun along the way? Join us.
Researching Banned or Challenged Books
Student projects researching the reasons why a particular book has been challenged or banned are common writing assignments in both language arts and social studies classes. This page provides a guide to some of the best sources for these assignments.
State of America's Libraries Report 2020
The State of America’s Libraries report is an annual summary of library trends released during National Library Week, April 19 – 25, that outlines statistics and issues affecting all types of libraries during the previous calendar year. Although the report focuses on 2019, libraries are shown to be on the frontlines addressing societal and community challenges — a role they are certainly playing during the COVID-19 pandemic today.

Books Unbanned

Inspired by the American Library Association's Freedom to Read Statement, public libraries are joining the Books Unbanned initiative in a response to an increasingly coordinated and effective effort to remove books tackling a wide range of topics from library shelves. For a limited time, individuals (ages 13-21 for NYPL and 13-26 for SPL) can apply for a free eCard providing access to our full eBook collection as well as learning databases. Follow the links below for information about applying to these programs for nationwide access to banned and challenged books.

Books Unbanned | Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library joins those fighting for the rights of teens nationwide to read what they like, discover themselves, and form their own opinions.
Books Unbanned | Seattle Public Library
Teens and young adults ages 13 to 26 living anywhere in the U.S. can access our entire collection of e-books and audiobooks. We believe in your right to read what you want, discover yourself and form your own opinions.

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Discussing Challenging Book Topics with Kids and Teens

External Resources

Books Unbanned

Books Unbanned