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New to First Book?
Join us to connect with thousands of fellow educators and access exciting educational events and resources for you and your students.
Authored by First Book Staff on September 21, 2022
Posted in: Focus on First Book, For Educators
As we go into Banned Books Week, the news aboutunprecedented effortsto unjustly ban books from schools and libraries has never felt more urgent. Here at First Book, we have an intentional commitment to providing diverse, honest, and affirming titles on the Marketplace. We know that, consistent with the research ofDr. Rudine Sims Bishopand many others, providing access to books that reflect a variety of lived experiences is an essential tool of making lifelong readers and learners who actively engage in the world around them. Your students have a right to access books in which they can see themselves, books that show them the diversity and honest reality of our world, books that will make them laugh and cry and think and grow.
Facing challenges and censorship can be scary, but you are not alone in this fight. Thisresolution from AFTstates in no uncertain terms how important diverse books are for effective education. The American Library Association has atoolkitfor facing book bans. BookRiot has been doing a great jobdocumentingcensorship and has provided atemplateyou can use to write letters to school boards and other administrative bodies. TheGet Ready, Stay Ready toolkit
First Book is doing its part, too, by continuing to offer diverse, relevant titles so that every child, no matter their circumstances, can access high quality books. First Book is committed to supporting our members as they select books to share with their students. Explore ourDiversity & Inclusion pageto find books that authentically represent a wide array of lives, experiences, cultures, and backgrounds, including books that featureLGBTQ+ charactersand that honestly portray the realities ofBlack History. As you work to affirm your students’ experiences and foster a culture of kindness, check out ourSocial & Emotional Learning page, where you can find books that promoteself-esteem and individualityandrespect and empathy. We also invite you to take a look at our collection offree, downloadable resources, each created to help you take actionable steps to support the kids you serve each day.
As you talk to your colleagues and administrators about censorship attempts, show up for each other at school board meetings, and do everything you can to support your students while keeping yourself safe from harm, know that First Book is standing beside you in solidarity.
Educators can join First Book’s Network — the largest and fastest growingnetwork of educators, schools, and programs serving children in need across the United States and Canada — to bring these titles and many more to your classroom.