Member organisations of the Association of American Publishers are actively participating and engaging readers, educators and book lovers of all kinds in the 32nd annual Banned Books Week, September 21—27.
AAP was a founding member of Banned Books Week and continues to collaborate with libraries, schools, teachers, bookstores, authors and others on this annual celebration of the freedom to read. AAP also works year-round to promote and protect the freedom to read and the freedom to publish in the US and around the world.
AAP members Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Scholastic and Simon & Schuster have produced a range of materials and opportunities to generate dialogue, share support of challenged titles and encourage reading.
Hachette Book Group staff, authors and friends will use Banned Books Week to share stories about banned or challenged books that impacted their lives. Using their Facebook page as a primary destination and incorporating text, images and other formats, contributors will offer personal experiences and thoughts. This company-wide initiative will also have videos of the HBG community reading from their favourite banned titles.
As part of the HarperCollins initiative, the Epic Reads online community will offer hosted discussion forums, original banned books content and graphics and a variety of ways to get involved in the national BBW festivities. The public can also download and share a BBW support badge. Teacher and librarian resources will be available at The Page Turn.
A special website emphasizes The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (celebrating its 50th anniversary), and Annie on My Mind, by Nancy Garden. In memory of Garden, who passed away this year, Macmillan has donated to the Kids' Right to Read Project, part of the National Coalition Against Censorship. :01 (First Second), its graphic novel imprint, is producing a special social media campaign for graphic novels, this year's BBW theme.
Penguin Kids, Penguin Teen, and Penguin Classroom will offer giveaways (through social media) of many of the most challenged books in libraries and schools. Penguin encourages readers to take and share a selfie of themselves holding a the sign "I celebrate #BannedBooksWeek because ...". Penguin will also participate in several #BannedBooksWeek Twitter chats during the observance week.
Scholastic is utilizing its network of social media channels to showcase award-winning books for children and young adults that have been challenged, and provide resources for understanding the issue. The "On Our Minds" blog will feature a slideshow of noteworthy banned book covers. Scholastic is the publisher of the #1 most banned books in 2013: Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey.
Simon & Schuster is encouraging book lovers to share an un-"censored" selfie — a photo of themselves with their favourite challenged book — on #BannedBookSelfie. The publisher is offering information and resources at their dedicated webpage including a catalogue of banned titles and author quotes. At the site, BBW participants can also get a free poster.
