When Chicago Public Schools administrators abruptly decided last year that Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis was not appropriate for some students, the directive to ban it initially went to school librarians. But instead of following the order, some of the librarians quickly…
Back to School with Comic Books: CBLDF Discussion Guides
Given their visual nature, comics are easy targets for would-be censors. CBLDF Discussion Guides are tools that can be used to lead conversations about challenged graphic novels and to help allay misconceptions about comics. CBLDF Discussion Guides can…
CBLDF Looking for Contributing Editor and Student Interns!
CBLDF’s mission defending the Right to Read is bigger — and more important — than ever, which means we are looking for a contributing editor and student interns to help us fight for free speech! If you’re…
Baltimore Comic Con: Paul Pope, Programming, & More!
This weekend, CBLDF kicks off the fall convention calendar at Baltimore Comic Con, where we’re offering three days of programming and signings with superstar creator Paul Pope! CBLDF is located at booth 2401, where we’ll have a massive library of Paul…
Toon Graphics Advocates for Comics in the Classroom
Last week the New York Times made a discovery: teachers are using comics in the classroom. Of course this was not news to us at CBLDF, as we’ve been touting the learning and literacy benefits of comics for a while…
Back to School with Comic Books: Using Graphic Novels in Education
Using Graphic Novels in Education is an ongoing feature from CBLDF that is designed to allay confusion around the content of graphic novels and to help parents and teachers raise readers. In this column, we examine graphic novels,…
Back to School with Comic Books: Raising a Reader!
Whether you have a student who is a reluctant reader, a student who needs more support, or a student who will read anything you put in front of him or her, CBLDF’s Raising a Reader!…
Labor Day Marks End of a Busy Summer for CBLDF
Summer seems like it should be a slow time for book censorship, but the last few months kept CBLDF and fellow free speech advocates busy. Now that Labor Day is here to mark the unofficial end of…
Breaking Free of Social Programming with Books
Recently, a story by Susie Rodarme of Book Riot came to our attention. In the piece, Rodarme reflects on her upbringing in a predominantly white town and a racist household. Rodarme was told by her father that “If you ever…
Ohio Superintendent: Controversial Books Aren’t for Summer Reading
In response to concerns about the inclusion of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things on a high school summer reading list, Superintendent Jim Powell of the North Ridgeville, Ohio, school district said that controversial books should be assigned only during the school year, when teachers are readily…
Bid Now on The Simpsons Family History, Signed and Sketched by Matt Groening!
For the past week, it seems like everyone with a television has been enjoying the “Every Simpsons Ever” marathon. It’s a good reminder of just how much of an institution the show has become,…
Indian State Allows Pre-Emptive Arrest for Online Obscenity, Copyright Violations
In the state of Karnataka in southern India, Minority Report has come true. Actually, the state’s so-called Goondas Act — an umbrella law covering offenses from bootlegging to gambling — has long allowed police to put habitual offenders in “preventive…
Tell Us About Your Banned Books Week Plans!
Banned Books Week 2014 is coming up in less than a month, and this year the focus is on comics and graphic novels! As a sponsor of the annual week celebrating the…
Second Week of Humble Bookperk Bundle Adds Amazing Titles
HarperCollins Publishers has partnered with Humble Bundle to launch the Humble Bookperk Bundle, featuring a collection of award-winning sci-fi novels as well as other works by bestselling HarperCollins authors. Today, we’re delighted to announce that three amazing…
Texas Minister Wants Vampire Books Banned From Library
A minister in the small Texas town of Cleveland is spearheading a petition drive to have 75 books that he labels “demonic” removed from the Young Adult section of the local public library….