We Need Diverse Books has launched the Unbanned Book Network to counteract book bans in schools and libraries. The program announced Tuesday will donate banned books and appoint Author Ambassadors to school districts facing bans. It plans to start with 20 under-resourced schools in states where there are bans, including Texas and Florida. CEO Dhonielle Clayton says the initiative addresses both a literacy crisis and rising censorship. Authors Ellen Oh and Meg Medina, whose books have been banned, will be among the participants. PEN America reports a surge in book bans over the past four years, prompting various responses from publishers and advocates.
