Book bans and censorship are not only a red state phenomenon; they happen in Massachusetts too. A 2024 Boston Globe investigation revealed that Massachusetts school districts received challenges to at least 70 different books since 2019, and ten school districts removed or restricted access to books. But in Massachusetts, we have a chance to do something about this. Currently, the Massachusetts legislature is considering An Act Regarding Free Expression, which would prevent time-consuming and unconstitutional book bans, and would protect both libraries and creators from the harm this censorship causes.
Join members of the Mass Freedom to Read Coalition, including Authors Against Book Bans and Beacon Press to learn about this new legislation, and take action during the workshop by writing postcards to legislators to encourage them to pass this law.
20% of sales from 7-9 will be donated to Wondermore.
This workshop will take place at our CAMBRIDGE store. We offer validated parking in the lot on Roseland St. behind Lesley's University Hall. See parking details below.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Beacon Press is an independent publisher of serious non-fiction. Their books often change the way readers think about fundamental issues; they promote such values as freedom of speech and thought; diversity, religious pluralism, and anti-racism; and respect for diversity in all areas of life. Learn more about them here.
Dana Alison Levy is the author of bestselling and critically acclaimed books for kids and teens, including the beloved Family Fletcher books, It Wasn’t Me, and the nonfiction titles Breaking the Mold and Allies. Dana’s most recent book is the middle grade novel Not Another Banned Book. Her books have been bestsellers, garnered multiple starred reviews, been named to numerous State Award and Best Of lists, and are Junior Library Guild Selections. Some of them have also been banned. Dana was last seen reading banned books with her family in New England.
Malinda Lo is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including most recently A Scatter of Light. Her novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club won the National Book Award, the Stonewall Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a Michael L. Printz Honor, and was an LA Times Book Prize finalist. Her books have received 15 starred reviews and have been finalists for multiple awards, including the Andre Norton Award and the Lambda Literary Award. She has been honored by the Carnegie Corporation as a Great Immigrant. Malinda’s short fiction and nonfiction has been published by The New York Times, NPR, Autostraddle, The Horn Book, and multiple anthologies. She lives in Massachusetts with her wife and their dog.
Elly Swartz is the acclaimed author of six middle grade novels. Swartz’s books reflect her commitment to raising awareness about mental health and neurodiversity. Same Page, her newest novel, and was named a Kids’ Indie Next List. Publishers Weekly said, "...Swartz skillfully incorporates sensitive depictions of Bess’s anxiety and the comfort she finds in her Jewish faith and her dog, Barnaby, to tackle tween friendship drama and growing pains with nuance." Swartz’s Dear Student won the PA State Award for Middle Grade. And Hidden Truths was called "realistic fiction at its best" in a starred review by SLJ. It was also a Kirkus Best Books of 2023, an Amazon Best Book for November, an Amazon Editors’ pick, and The Week Junior Book Club pick.
Swartz lives in Massachusetts and is happily married with two grown sons, a grandson, and two pups. Connect with her at ellyswartz.com, on Twitter @ellyswartz, and on Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads @ellyswartzbooks.