Books in the Classroom

5 Ways to Promote Freedom to Read

Illustration by Julie Rowan-Zoch

September 18-24 is Banned Books Week, and this year is a biggie, with censorship and banned books lists continuing to pop up in school and public libraries all over the country. Rather than celebrating individual banned books, we at the Soaring ‘20s want to remind readers that making a banned list is not a badge of honor. Instead, let’s use this week to take an active role in promoting intellectual freedom—a cornerstone of democracy and a lifeline for young readers of all creeds.

Here are a few ways to get involved, plus links to learn more about preventing censorship.

  1. Be a reader, and support readers

    Exercise your freedom to read the titles you choose and encourage others to do the same.

  2. Support book creators

    Review your favorite books on platforms like Goodreads or Amazon, and share your love on social media. Let the world know how life-changing books can be and how they’ve touched your life.

  3. Show up

    Attend local school board meetings/public library board meetings. Speak out about the freedom to read and intellectual freedom. As a community member, you can speak in support of public librarians, school librarians, and teachers currently navigating book challenges. Don’t let those who seek to limit access to books be the only voices in the room. Better yet, speak up about your support of intellectual freedom before the topic of book bans arises in your community.

  4. Step up

    Volunteer or run for public library and school board positions in your community. Or, support the campaigns of candidates fighting for intellectual freedom.

  5. Study up

    Find out if your school district or library has a stated policy and procedures in place to handle book challenges. It should not be left up to individual teachers or librarians to handle. Then learn more about fighting book challenges by checking out our list of resources below:

Letter from 1,300 Children’s and YA Authors on Book Banning

Banned Books Week Facebook Live events: Listen in on censorship discussions with youth activists and authors George M. Johnson, Angie Thomas, Jerry Craft, Maia Kobabe, and Mike Curato.

ALA intellectual freedom resources

ALA Freedom to Read statement 

ALA on access to Library Resources and Services for Minors: “School and public libraries are charged with the mission of providing services and resources to meet the diverse interests and informational needs of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities that fulfill the needs and interests of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of providing library services and should be determined on an individual basis. Equitable access to all library resources and services should not be abridged based on chronological age, apparent maturity, educational level, literacy skills, legal status, or through restrictive scheduling and use policies.”

#Freadom Fighters (Texas School Librarians) site, including campaigns and actions, helpful resources and places you can buy merchandise and support the cause. 

Fighting Book Bans: A Virtual Teach-In for Students from Pen America 

The National Coalition Against Censorship’s site includes a free tool kit and social media graphics. 

Book Riot’s anti-censorship tool kit for citizens and gatekeepers.

We Need Diverse Books’s tips on fighting censorship and supporting diverse banned books.

Free Virtual Visits on World Read Aloud Day 2022

Top row, l-r: Kelly Carey, Margaret Greanias, Kjersten Hayes, Kirsten W. Larson
Bottom row, l-r: Colleen Paeff, Julie Rowan-Zoch, Candy Wellins, M.O. Yuksel

Mark your calendars for February 2, 2022 — it’s World Read Aloud Day! 

LitWorld started World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) in 2010 to honor the power and joy of reading. To celebrate, authors and illustrators come together each year to offer virtual classroom visits around the world. Several Soaring ‘20s creators still have spots available.

Most virtual visits go something like this:

  • 1-2 minutes: Creator introduces themself and talks a little about his or her books.

  • 3-5 minutes: Creator reads aloud a short picture book, or a short excerpt from a chapter book/novel

  • 5-10  minutes: Creator answers a few questions from students about reading/writing.

  • 1-2 minutes: Creator book-talks a couple books they love (but didn’t write/illustrate!) as recommendations for the kids.

Before you sign up, most authors request you have the following available.

  • School name, grade level/teacher name, and approximate number of students

  • Platform (ex. Skype, Zoom, Google Meet)

  • Cell phone number for day-of-event emergencies

NOTE: Please pay attention to each creators’ time zone when scheduling, as we are located across the U.S.!

To check availability and/or schedule with an individual creator, click on her name below.

Kelly Carey

Book: HOW LONG IS FOREVER?
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern

Margaret Greanias

Books: AMAH FARAWAY or MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS
9:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Pacific

Kjersten Hayes

Book: THE ELEPHANTS’ GUIDE TO HIDE-AND-SEEK
8 a.m.-2 p.m. Pacific

Kirsten W. Larson

Books: A TRUE WONDER or WOOD, WIRE, WINGS
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Eastern

Colleen Paeff

Book: THE GREAT STINK
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern

Julie Rowan-Zoch

Books: I’M A HARE, SO THERE! and LOUIS
8 a.m.-1 p.m. Mountain

Candy Wellins

Books: THE STARS BECKONED and SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Central

M.O. Yuksel

Book: IN MY MOSQUE
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Eastern

HIP, HIP…BERET Book Birthday and Giveaway!

By Melanie Ellsworth

Thanks so much for joining me today for HIP, HIP…BERET’s book birthday and my own book debut! You’ll notice in the book that it’s also Bella’s birthday, and it’s her birthday gift — a beret — that kicks off the whole adventure!

HipHipBeret cover.jpg

HIP, HIP…BERET! is not just my book — it belongs to a lot of people. The whimsical, colorful illustrations were created by the mega-talented Morena Forza. The book wouldn’t exist without her. Many thanks to my editor, Chris, for making this a better book with her eye for detail, the whole HMH team, my agent Christa and her team at McIntosh & Otis for believing in my books, and my two critique groups filled with amazing writers who make my own books so much better.

The members of the children’s writing community, including this Soaring ’20s debut group, are always willing to offer their time and advice. Thanks to my family as well. My parents encouraged reading and writing, and my sister modeled creativity as we were growing up. My husband and daughter supply ongoing inspiration and support of all kinds — couldn’t do this without them. And finally, thanks to all the book lovers and readers out there!

Here’s a little secret about HIP, HIP…BERET: I thought it was going to be my second published book because my book CLARINET AND TRUMPET was due out in August 2020. But the pandemic pushed many publication dates back, so now HIP, HIP…BERET! gets to be my debut book. As it turns out, that’s a really good thing, because I dedicated it to my daughter. And she was TOTALLY thrilled to read her dedication and know that Mom’s first published book was dedicated to her. Phew — close call. 

Here’s a short video if you’d like to learn a bit more about HIP, HIP…BERET!

 
photo of beret for giveaway.jpg

ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY!

In honor of HIP, HIP…BERET’s birthday, I’m giving away a beret along with a signed copy of the book! The beret at right is from Villagehatshop.com and is the “sur la tete” model, all cotton. (They have lovely wool varieties, but if you’re anything like me, wool is just too scratchy.) The giveaway beret is identical to the beret I’m wearing in the video, but I promise it’s brand new and hasn’t visited any other heads yet (unlike Bella’s beret). Hip, hip…hooray!

For a chance to win, enter the Rafflecopter below by 11:59 p.m. PT on March 1. I’ll announce the winner on Twitter!

Book Details

HIP, HIP ... BERET!

by Melanie Ellsworth,

Illustrated by Morena Forza

Pub Date: February 23, 2021
ISBN: 978-0358137283
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers


Photo by Amy Wilton

Photo by Amy Wilton

Melanie Ellsworth writes picture books, including HIP, HIP…BERET! (HMH, 2021) and CLARINET AND TRUMPET (HMH, 2021). She lives in mid-coast Maine with her family. As a former ESOL teacher and literacy specialist with a master’s in language and literacy, Melanie loves all parts of the writing process, from gathering ideas to revising to sharing books. Visit Melanie at MelanieEllsworth.com, on Twitter @melanieells, Instagram @melaniebellsworth, or on Facebook.