By Caroline Richmond, Executive Director at We Need Diverse Books, and Yadriel Lara-Ruiz, Social Media Manager at We Need Diverse books, a Unite Against Book Pans partner
We Need Diverse Books is launching the inaugural We Need Diverse Books Day on Thursday, April 3, to highlight the importance of reading books that reflect the beautifully diverse world. Follow us on social media to learn more about how to join us.
In January 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to hear a case interrogating the constitutionality of inclusive education. Mahmoud vs. Taylor is a case initiated by a group of parents in Maryland, who have sued the Montgomery County Board of Education for the right to opt their children out of reading LGBTQIA+-inclusive books in school. They argue these books go against their religious beliefs.
Authors and Illustrators Respond
Earlier this month, the authors and illustrators whose books are implicated in the lawsuit released a statement via PEN America about the case, which reads as follows, in part:
“We stand in support of the Montgomery County School District. We oppose censoring or segregating books, like ours, that feature LGBTQ+ people. All families deserve to be seen and heard. To act otherwise is harmful and sends a devastating message to students: that their lives and families are so offensive and dangerous that they can’t even be discussed in school.”
The statement goes on to say:
“Every child deserves the freedom to read. The freedom to read leads to the freedom to learn. Children need to know that there are other people like them in the world, that they aren’t alone, that their hopes and fears are shared by others. And they need the freedom to read about different people with different views, from diverse ethnic backgrounds and abilities. The freedom to read means that children are free to have their own thoughts and beliefs and to make their own choices. It helps prepare them to be good citizens, to navigate and succeed in a complex and diverse world.”
What You Can Do Now
The verdict of this case will have far-reaching implications for students’ freedom to read and freedom to learn. As we await the Court’s ruling, WNDB and the affected creators suggest the following action items for those who are able to unite against the continuing wave of book bans and challenges
1. Read, share about, and boost the affected titles:
- Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
- IntersectionAllies: We Make Room For All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council , and Carolyn Choi, illustrated by Ashley Seil Smith
- Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case
- Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, illustrated by Charlene Chua
- My Rainbow by DeShanna Nealand Trinity Neal, illustrated by Art Twink
- Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
- Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
- Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen, illustrated by Lucia Soto
- What Are Your Words? by Katherine Locke, illustrated by Anne Passchier
2. Share the affected titles with schools, classrooms, and/or libraries.
3. Get involved in your school board and library board to protect marginalized voices.
4. Be informed about incoming/prospective school board members in upcoming elections and VOTE.
5. Research actions, organizations, and activists working against book-banning efforts.
6. Donate your time and/or money to supporting organizations fighting book bans.
Stay Involved
WNDB stands for freedom of expression and supports everyone’s freedom to read and find themselves in the pages of a book. To stay informed about the Mahmoud v. Taylor case, follow WNDB (Instagram | Facebook | X) or visit our website for updates as they become available.
