While I’m Boise, I’ll be hosting a Read-In with Authors Against Book Bans on the Idaho Capitol Building steps!

There will be author readings and banned book giveaways, and the League of Women Voters in the greater Boise area will be there to register citizens to vote. I can’t wait to meet more readers, book lovers, and librarians who are passionate about protecting everyone’s freedom to read.

If you’re in Boise, come say hi! If you have friends in the Boise area, share this newsletter and story time and read-in invite!

Bring a book, bring some signs, bring a blanket or a sun shade. I can’t wait to meet you and hear about what books you love reading, and even better what books you sneaked and read because you really wanted to. It’ll fun, and probably hot, and I’m definitely bringing lots of water.

Idaho Libraries and Book Bans

Libraries in Idaho have gone viral for having spaces that kids aren’t allowed, and for considering making libraries adult-only spaces in response to a new library censorship law in Idaho.

It’s a garbage law that says (abbreviated version—not a legal expert) if a child “obtains” library materials that are deemed “obscene,” and a parent/guardian complains, then that book must go through a review process, and if it is determined “obscene,” and is not moved to an “adult-only” section, then that person can sue the library. I’m paraphrasing and using lots of Bennett Brauer air quotes, but you can read more about the whole ridiculous thing. 

In Idaho state law (reminder that I am not a law expert or an eel expert), “obscene,” includes any reference to homosexuality, so pretty much any book with LGBTQ+ content is defined as “obscene” in the state of Idaho. If this sounds discriminatory and like a major government overreach in a state that loves individual freedom, well, welcome to the contradictory ridiculousness of living in Idaho!!!

As a reader and a writer, and just general book nerd, I don’t think every book is for every reader— actually, I know every book is not for every reader. And that some books are meant for certain ages and audiences, and that readers know best what they’re comfortable reading and when.

But conversations with kids and teens about what to read, those should happen with the adults in their lives—not someone else or the state deciding what should and shouldn’t be read or accessed. *Triple dismounts soap box, wobbles a bit, but mostly sticks the landing.*

Some good news: a group of privately funded libraries and individuals are suing the state of Idaho over the bill. 

Why am I sharing all this about Idaho libraries?

Well, honestly, if you are in America, and your state has not passed a bill limiting what children can check-out and read at their public or school libraries, it is likely that your more conservative state representatives are going to try. And coming from a state where these laws have passed, it sucks.

I’ve been to library board meetings where precious time is spent figuring out how to navigate the new library bill. Libraries that can afford an attorney are having to use limited resources on legal council, and libraries that can’t afford an attorney are trying to navigate confusing legislation on their own.

It’s the small, rural libraries that are going to be hurt the most, and it’s the small, rural libraries that need the most support. And the kids who use these libraries on a daily basis know that there are bills and laws dictating what they can and cannot access, and that the books they love might be taken away, and that the spaces that are meant to be safe, suddenly feel less so.

One more time for the people in the back: THAT THE SPACES THAT ARE MEANT TO BE SAFE, SUDDENLY FEEL LESS SO.

So we’re going to gather and talk books and read together on the Idaho State Capitol steps on August 10th—and if you’re in the Boise area, I hope to see you there.