Five years ago, I would never have dreamed the freedom to read would be under attack in our country. When the challenges began in our district, I knew it was, as they say, a hill I would die on, kicking and screaming, to protect books for all students. In fact, on December 4, 2023, I was sworn in for my third term on the Central Bucks School Board on a stack of banned books.
I have always loved to read and was so pleased when my three children learned to read easily and loved reading. It frankly never occurred to me to check on their book choices. I trusted the professionalism of our teachers and librarians to select books which are age appropriate for our students.
I’ve attended school board meetings for 20 years, first as an employee and parent, and then as a school board member, and until 2022, I never heard a single comment about library books. Parents in Central Bucks always had the option to contact the school librarian and restrict a book or books for their student, and this process worked well for everyone.
During the 2021-2022 school year, Moms for Liberty groups began sharing lists of “unsuitable” books. Moms for Liberty members and supporters attended board meetings like ours and read excerpts from books meant to shock listeners. Their choices were always books meant for high school students, but Moms for Liberty used language like “our children” to insinuate elementary students were being exposed to more mature material. This is utterly false. This fear-mongering playbook was repeated in many communities and continues to this day.
It’s important to note the attention M4L and other groups brought to this content exposed more young children to the material than any school library ever did. In Central Bucks, a graphic image from one of the books was mailed to the entire district by Republicans during the 2023 school board campaign. Parents reported their children opened the envelopes because the students thought it came from school.
Sadly, these tactics to challenge books have been successful across the country. Pen America reports 22,810 instances of banned books in U.S. public schools between 2021 and 2025. A disproportionate number of the challenged or banned books feature LGBTQ characters or discuss racism. Students in marginalized groups are losing access to books which can help them make sense of an often unfair and unjust world. All children deserve to see themselves in their school’s library books, and in the curriculum materials. No child should be made to feel there is something “wrong” or “inappropriate” with themselves or their family and sadly this is exactly what has happened with book challenges and bans.
READ: The Quiet Creep of Censorship: How ‘Everyday Banning’ Is Reshaping American Schools
In Central Bucks we are fortunate the 2023 elections resulted in a new school board which was opposed to book bans. Across the country, however, book challenges and bans are now prolific. It is critically important that parents and community members who wish to protect the freedom to read pay close attention to their school board elections. During my campaign in 2023, I spoke with constituents across the political spectrum, and I learned most Americans support the freedom to read and are opposed to banning books. Freedom of thought is a core principle of the founding of our country. I also found many people fundamentally disagreed that books could somehow be dangerous to students. Even books with mature content are viewed as an important way for young people to safely learn about difficult topics and are considered a more prudent option for students than tv, movies or the Internet.
Students in marginalized groups are losing access to books which can help them make sense of an often unfair and unjust world.
Voters, please ask detailed and specific questions of your candidates, like “Do you support challenging or removing books from schools or libraries?” or “Do you support a diverse selection of library books in classrooms and schools?” Campaign literature makes all candidates appear to be moderate. It’s essential to look beyond the platitudes of glossy campaign mailers for the truth of what atmosphere a candidate would bring to our schools. A supportive, inclusive and welcoming one? Or one that stifles free speech and freedom of thought?
READ: Meet Three of the Neighbors Who United to Defend Public Education in Central Bucks School District
I swore an oath to the Pennsylvania constitution to protect the rights of all students. All students must be able to find characters like themselves in the books in our libraries. Equally as important, all students must have access to characters and perspectives different from their own if we are to remain a pluralistic, multiracial society and democracy praised for our imagination and ingenuity. Banned Books Week reminds us that we need to actively defend the freedom to read 52 weeks per year.
