Banned Books Week: October 1 – 7, 2023

This Banned Books Week, be sure to check out MEA’s “Freedom to Read” series, which explores how educators across Michigan are fighting back against political extremists and working to protect students’ freedom to read.

In the five-part series, MEA Voice Editor Brenda Ortega — a former reporter with the Los Angeles Times — examines growing calls from partisan political operatives to ban books in school libraries, as well as efforts by MEA members, parents and allies to push back on this dangerous trend.

Part I: Educators and Parents Battle Book Bans: ‘That is not who we are, and our children deserve better’

Part II: Turmoil Over Book Bans Affects Educators: ‘This is the hill I’m willing to die on’

Part III: Book challenges show need for policies to ‘uphold a constitutional promise’

Part IV: Reading, Writing, Literacy Leaders Raise Alarm over Book Bans

Part V: Freedom to Read Advocates, Please Stand Up: ‘We need positive voices in the conversation’

For News Media Newsroom

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by Elena Helmer