ACLU Supporter –

As we speak, book bans are cropping up in schools and public libraries across the country.

In fact, last year alone, the American Library Association recorded 729 book challenges compared to only 156 challenges the year prior.

And it's no coincidence that these banned books are primarily by and about BIPOC, LGBTQ people, and other marginalized groups – all while a wave of classroom censorship bills aimed at erasing discussions on race and gender are pouring into state legislatures.

At the ACLU, we're not just in the courts defending the right for students to receive an inclusive education free from this form of censorship and discrimination – we're also exercising our rights to read these banned books ourselves. And we thought you might be interested in joining us.

That's why our studious team has compiled an "ACLU Banned Book Club Reading List" for you to check out.

From Toni Morrison's "Bluest Eye" to Maia Kobabe's "Gender Queer" – get our list of 10 banned books we recommend, why they've been targets of such unconstitutional bans in the first place, and, for some, where ACLU's own litigation work has fought to defend them.

Now is the time to show your support for everyone's right to learn – and the right to read without infringement – by diving into our banned book reading list today.

Happy reading,

The ACLU Team

P.S. Twist ending: Can we interest you in a special discount on some Banned Books swag as you take up your next book? Right now, we want to offer you 20% off any item from our Banned Books Collection plus a free ACLU Banned Book Club bookmark from our shop. Just use code READ20 at checkout.

*Take 20% off any item from our Banned Books Collection using coupon code READ20 at checkout. You will also automatically receive a free Banned Book Club bookmark with any purchase of a Banned Books item. Offer valid through 4/17/2022, 11:59 PM EST.