Wonderful to have Jo Knowles to speak with students about banned books. Like Jo’s characters, they are quiet and shy. But my students were brave enough to stand and read from books some people don’t want us to read anymore. Powerful day. #banbombsnotbooks

I still can't stop thinking about these kids. #BannedBooksWeek

Feeling much #LibraryLove and gratitude toward Curtis Library for hosting a fantastic all-ages afternoon Read-Out for #BannedBooksWeek . 💙📚

(Spotted here: Maria Padian reading @joknowles)

I have an interview at Simmons University about my work, book banning and the need for MORE books not less on the topic of identity. School visits show me the difference between a welcoming community and one that casts shame. It breaks my heart every time. simmons.edu/news/spite-boo…

The Maine Lit Fest is coming to Waterville, Portland, & Online from 9/30/22 to 10/8/22. Please check out the full schedule. Guests include: Jo Knowles, Dr. Joshua Bennett, Morgan Talty, Terese Marie, Brandon, Lily King, Rebecca Traister, & more. mainewriters.org/maine-lit-fest

What are your favorite writing workshop topics or workshops you WISH there were more of? (Yes this is a selfish request as I try to figure out what helpful workshop I could pitch to a writing conference 😂 TIA)

And this map shows successful bans. Even in 'blue' Massachusetts there are constant complaints, even without official challenges or bans.

What I'm afraid of is how many schools will quietly remove books, or just not order books about LGBTQ+ or BIPOC characters to avoid attacks.

I keep speaking out because as queer books are getting removed from schools and libraries, teachers getting fired, and queer kids persecuted, it is essential to take a stand against censorship and bigotry. Because it hurts kids--all kids-- and the kids are why we’re all here.

What book are we movin’ & groovin’ to today? Ear Worms by Jo Knowles and Galia Bernstein! We ❤️ this up-on-your-feet and chant-with-me story!

Using caution tape in banned books displays is clever visually but it kind of cedes the censor’s point that the books are dangerous.
Imagine an LGBTQ kid seeing a story about someone just like them wrapped in caution tape, like a crime scene or a disease?
Maybe rethink?

The most banned book in America is a trans person’s memoir. Its last line is, “Though I have struggled with being your daughter, I am so, so glad I am your child” under an image of a loving family gazing at the stars.

So why the hell are we calling it “dangerous”?

I keep saying this, too! If you think a middle school kid pops down to the media center on an industrious hunt for nudies in encyclopedias and sexytimes in novels, then you have not yet met a smartphone or a middle schooler. Kids pop down to the media center to find *themselves*.

Please read - ALL. This is an essential part of the banning of books and ideas that we must grapple with.

Today is our 25th wedding anniversary. When we first met, no one seemed to think we were a good idea. But soulmates know. They just do.

Over the past year, I’ve read Out of Darkness, All Boys Aren’t Blue, Drama, Gender Queer. I've never been a YA or graphic novel reader, but they’re all SO GOOD. They’re on ban lists because they win awards, because librarians order them, because kids want to read them.

WOW

I love everything about this. #DerbyTwitter