Help Get Banned Books in Little Free Libraries

There has been an ongoing effort across the country to challenge books in schools at all grade levels. The majority of these books are by or about LGBTQIA and BIPOC authors or subjects. The reason this battle is taking place goes beyond objections to books, but that's for another discussion. This fight is having real consequences in our community right now. The parents who object to these books have made it known that even if the schools deem the books acceptable to have in school libraries, they plan to have their kids check them out and "lose" them, and will do the same at our public libraries. While it isn't an ideal solution, my goal is to add these books to little free libraries in order to keep some available for those who want to read them. I am currently focusing on my own community of Northland Kansas City, but if the resources allow, would like to expand to other parts of the city.

 

These books are important resources for groups that are regularly marginalized, as well as their allies who want to learn empathy. They include real and raw accounts of touchy, sometimes painful, many times uncomfortable subjects, but they do so with a bent toward teaching the reader a lesson - about themselves, about others, about how to be a better person, and sometimes they are just irreverent coming of age stories. They are important to our communities, and should remain in circulation. I feel strongly that kids should see themselves in books, and I stand against censorship.

 

I thank you for your time and consideration in donating to this cause. Let's keep our kids in books.

 

In order to continue to support artists and communities, I plan to purchase books from independent booksellers like the ones listed below. Please list your favorite booksellers in the comments so that we can spread the love.

The Raven Book Store, Lawrence, KS

Rainy Day Books, Fairway, KS

Powells Books, Portland, OR

Literati Bookstore, Ann Arbor, MI

Nowhere Bookshop, San Antonio, TX

 

Please let me know if there is a book that you think belongs on my list.