Banned Book Forum

My name is Ashley, and I am 17 years old. I am currently a second-year member of a program at my high school focused on cultivating a generation of globally competent advocates and leaders. I’ve had the opportunity to research and take action on a topic I’m truly passionate about: the Book Banning Epidemic and the suspension of “controversial” topics in schools.

For my project, “Do What’s Write,” I created an advocacy campaign with two components: this website and a "Banned Book Fair,"  with keynote speaker Emily Drabinski, President of the American Library Association. My aim was to educate my community about the bans occurring nationwide and how we can take action.

Creating this website has been a dream of mine—to ensure every student in America has access to the literature and rhetoric being withheld from them. Everyone has the right to read, the right to free expression, and the right to exist. Please share this site with those in censored areas, and together we can put an end to book bans!

Ever since I picked up a book, I’ve known that literature is something special—something worth dedicating my life to. I’m an avid reader and a passionate writer, and I deeply admire every banned author.