Creators establish ‘Authors Against Book Bans’ in the US

In the US, a group of writers, illustrators and creators in both the children’s and adult sectors has officially launched the Authors Against Book Bans (AABB) organisation, reports Publishers Weekly.

In a statement, the group said it would work to organise authors on national and local levels to support ‘grassroots groups already fighting book bans and challenges’ around the country.

Author David Levithan, a member of the AABB national leadership team, said AABB was forming chapters around the US. ‘Authors know … the freedom to read and to choose books for ourselves and our families is essential to ensuring that our communities thrive,’ said Levithan.

‘The time has come for authors to come together and stand in solidarity on this issue, and the work of our growing membership is clear: we support authors whose work is challenged, and we support the teachers, librarians, families, and students who are on the front-lines defending our books. They are not alone; authors stand with them,’ said Levithan. Of AABB’s strategy of operating with established organisations, the author said: ‘We want to support the people who are leading this fight and say basically, “We are putting together the author army; how do you want to deploy us?” We’re following the lead of people on the grassroots who’ve done incredible work already. And I think those partnerships are key to what we’re doing.’

Fellow group member Maggie Tokuda-Hall cited an example of the group’s success working with the Texas Freedom to Read Project, as well as keeping five challenged books on the shelves after three AABB members went to a school board meeting and testified in their favour. ‘We were really proud in that moment to have organised the way that we had, and it was exactly what we are hoping can happen.’

Category: International news