Free Expression

Booksellers are responding enthusiastically to the latest Banned Books Week promotion from Ingram Content Group and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.

Booksellers who place orders for 30 or more books from an expanded list of banned or challenged titles before October 3 will receive an additional discount from Ingram, as well as a free “Banned Books Week in a Box” display kit.

Starting August 20, booksellers can view a list of more than 450 banned and challenged titles via Ingram’s ipage®. Orders of 30 or more books per store entitle purchasers to a “Banned Books Week in a Box” display kit and additional discounts on initial and subsequent orders.

Though “Banned Books Week in a Box” promotional kits are all gone, booksellers can still take advantage of Ingram’s additional discount on a list of 200 banned or challenged books. ABFFE is also offering a promotional kit, including bookmarks, buttons, bumper stickers, and more, for $25 plus free shipping.

A new addition to the array of resources available to stores celebrating Banned Books Week (September 22 - 28) is a banned books list compiled by ABFFE that highlights a greater number of recent titles in addition to classics.

Inspired by last year’s positive response to its Banned Books Week display, Michigan’s Literary Life Bookstore & More has expanded plans for this year’s September 25 - October 2 celebration of the freedom to read.

Jon Scieszka Named National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

The Library of Congress has named Jon Scieszka (The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Viking) as the first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. The appointment is for a two-year term. As National Ambassador, Scieszka will encourage the appreciation of young people's literature throughout the U.S. through both personal and media appearances.