Books Unite Us
Books Unite Us is a campaign where Hummingbird Books will support the readers that do not have easy access to banned books. “At Hummingbird Books, we believe that books unite us, and censorship divides us. Books have the power to reach across cultural boundaries, connect readers, and teach us important lessons. We support freedom of expression and actively oppose the rising levels of censorship and book banning throughout the country,” said Wendy Dodson, owner of Hummingbird Books.
Utah has ordered schools statewide to "legally dispose of" 13 books deemed "pornographic or indecent," including Margaret Atwood's Oryx & Crake and Judy Blume's Forever. This action follows a new state law requiring that if a book is banned by at least three of the state's 41 public school districts, or by two districts and five charter schools, it must be removed from all schools across Utah.
Wendy Dodson, owner of Hummingbird Books, expressed concern about the situation. “What is happening in Utah is downright scary,” she said. “What happened to Freedom of Speech being a core value in our country? Why are so many people fighting to preserve the Second Amendment but not the First Amendment?” She also noted that 12 of the 13 banned authors are women, a fact she finds troubling but not unexpected.
Take Action!
In response, Hummingbird Books will be sending donated books to Let Utah Read, a coalition of Utahns, educators, parents, librarians, and organizations dedicated to preserving Americans’ freedom to read. The coalition is seeking community support to distribute as many books as possible.
Click on the DONATE button and we will choose books on your behalf based on the greatest need. We thank you for your support in fighting this worthy cause.
What is a banned book and why is banning them a problem?
Books are challenged and/or banned by school committees in schools and libraries for containing themes or material deemed "unsuitable" for children. Parents are the primary challengers of books and often pressure school committees to remove challenged books from school libraries and classrooms. While banned books are not illegal in town or county libraries or homes, their absence in classrooms limits the scope of education and restricts literary curiosity.
Let Utah Read
Let Utah Read is a coalition of Utah community members, educators, parents, librarians, and advocacy organizations — all dedicated to preserving Americans’ freedom to choose what we read.
We believe that all Americans have the right to read and access diverse and inclusive literature, free from censorship or discrimination, and that libraries are the foundation for a vibrant and engaged US citizenry.
Brain Food Books
Brain Food Books is a Utah based non-profit dedicated to putting books in the hands of those without regular access. They pride themselves on offering a great selection of books to readers and focusing on literacy as a tool for community engagement.