August #NotesfromtheHornBook: Elissa Gershowitz's editorial "In case you missed it: Last week, 'An Act Regarding Free Expression' was signed into law by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey." www.hbook.com/story/newsle... #MassFreedomtoRead @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
From the Editor — August 2026
From the August 2026 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.
www.hbook.com
August 20, 2026 at 7:10 PM
August #NotesfromtheHornBook: Elissa Gershowitz's editorial "In case you missed it: Last week, 'An Act Regarding Free Expression' was signed into law by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey." www.hbook.com/story/newsle... #MassFreedomtoRead @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
A big day for our state, including our team from @massaabb.bsky.social and the entire #MassFreedomToRead coalition!
On Monday, Massachusetts became the latest state to pass right to read legislation. Big congratulations to @massaabb.bsky.social and everyone else who worked to pass this legislation! Let's take a look at a few highlights of this new law...
August 12, 2026 at 2:13 PM
A big day for our state, including our team from @massaabb.bsky.social and the entire #MassFreedomToRead coalition!
#HBOutoftheBox: We're celebrating good books news with the signing of the Massachusetts Freedom to Read bill on Monday www.hbook.com/story/good-b... #MassFreedomtoRead #kidlit #yalit @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
Good Books News from the Massachusetts State Legislature
On August 10, 2026, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healeysignedinto law
www.hbook.com
August 12, 2026 at 1:12 PM
#HBOutoftheBox: We're celebrating good books news with the signing of the Massachusetts Freedom to Read bill on Monday www.hbook.com/story/good-b... #MassFreedomtoRead #kidlit #yalit @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
It passed the House!!!! www.instagram.com/p/DZbIlAlOYp...
Mass Freedom To Read on Instagram: "We’re delighted to announce that today the Massachusetts House passed H.3594, “An Act Regarding Free Expression,” in an overwhelming show of support.
Now that it’s...
107 likes, 2 comments - massfreedomtoread on June 10, 2026: "We’re delighted to announce that today the Massachusetts House passed H.3594, “An Act Regarding Free Expression,” in an overwhelming show o...
www.instagram.com
June 11, 2026 at 12:51 AM
It passed the House!!!! www.instagram.com/p/DZbIlAlOYp...
#HBOutoftheBox #HBWeekinReview: March/April #HBMag Writer's Page column by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social ; Katie Yamasaki #TalkswithRoger; #HBWomensHistoryMonth; We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices virtual event AND #MassFreedomToRead Advocacy Day; + more! www.hbook.com/story/blogs/...
March 13, 2026 at 8:59 PM
#HBOutoftheBox #HBWeekinReview: March/April #HBMag Writer's Page column by @sarapennypacker.bsky.social ; Katie Yamasaki #TalkswithRoger; #HBWomensHistoryMonth; We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices virtual event AND #MassFreedomToRead Advocacy Day; + more! www.hbook.com/story/blogs/...
#MassFreedomToRead @massaabb.bsky.social @aclum.bsky.social @beaconpress.bsky.social @candlewickpress.bsky.social @charlesbridge.bsky.social @nosycrowus.bsky.social @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social @bostoncomicarts.bsky.social
#HBOutoftheBox: Elissa Gershowitz and @shoshanaflax.bsky.social report back from two important book events on Tuesday www.hbook.com/story/tuesda...
Tuesday in MN and MA
Two book events that took place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026
www.hbook.com
March 12, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Make your voice heard tomorrow! #MassFreedomToRead
On March 10th, AABB, together with the Mass Freedom to Read Coalition, is hosting a Mass Freedom to Read Advocacy Day at the State House and online. That's 1 week from today!
We invite you to participate virtually by...
We invite you to participate virtually by...
March 9, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Make your voice heard tomorrow! #MassFreedomToRead
Are you a Massachusetts resident? Do you support the freedom to read?
If so, please write to your state legislators in support of “An Act Regarding Free Expression” (H.3594). We’re going to have a big advocacy day on Tuesday to get this bill passed and every bit of support matters!
If so, please write to your state legislators in support of “An Act Regarding Free Expression” (H.3594). We’re going to have a big advocacy day on Tuesday to get this bill passed and every bit of support matters!
March 8, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Are you a Massachusetts resident? Do you support the freedom to read?
If so, please write to your state legislators in support of “An Act Regarding Free Expression” (H.3594). We’re going to have a big advocacy day on Tuesday to get this bill passed and every bit of support matters!
If so, please write to your state legislators in support of “An Act Regarding Free Expression” (H.3594). We’re going to have a big advocacy day on Tuesday to get this bill passed and every bit of support matters!
And after you contact the NY governor on Monday, reach out to YOUR governor to ask them to protect the freedom to read - this is a nationwide concern! #kidlit #yalit #MassFreedomToRead
We encourage you to join this initiative this coming Monday. Learn more and discover ways you can participate on our blog: www.leeandlow.com/blog/join-us...
Join Lee & Low Books for Contact the Governor Day on March 2, 2026
Join us in telling New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to protect the freedom to read!
www.leeandlow.com
February 27, 2026 at 4:09 PM
And after you contact the NY governor on Monday, reach out to YOUR governor to ask them to protect the freedom to read - this is a nationwide concern! #kidlit #yalit #MassFreedomToRead
A Freedom to Read Story I shared w/ #massfreedomtoread in support comprehensive legislative protection.
October 27, 2025 at 9:19 PM
A Freedom to Read Story I shared w/ #massfreedomtoread in support comprehensive legislative protection.
Thanks to The Tufts Daily for covering #MassFreedomToRead and An Act Regarding Free Expression! www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2025... @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social @danaalisonlevy.bsky.social
Battling book bans in Beantown and beyond - The Tufts Daily
I consider myself to be generally aware of the state of book banning in the United States. I read about the fights going on in school districts and libraries throughout Florida, Tennessee and Texas. I...
www.tuftsdaily.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Thanks to The Tufts Daily for covering #MassFreedomToRead and An Act Regarding Free Expression! www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2025... @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social @danaalisonlevy.bsky.social
My career as an author so far has a similar path with my work with @massaabb.bsky.social and #MassFreedomToRead. I loved running a writers group (a few years ago), and I'd love to do that again, but I also want to do reading groups and co-working.
October 17, 2025 at 4:37 AM
My career as an author so far has a similar path with my work with @massaabb.bsky.social and #MassFreedomToRead. I loved running a writers group (a few years ago), and I'd love to do that again, but I also want to do reading groups and co-working.
Banned Books Week may be over but the fight for the freedom to read and the first amendment continues. I talked with author/artist Mike Curato (FLAMER) about his experiences as an often-banned creator in Massachusetts and beyond. #massfreedomtoread @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
#HBOutoftheBox: In support of "An Act Regarding Free Expression" (S.2328/ H.3594) in MA, author @malindalo.bsky.social asked author/illus @mikecurato.bsky.social #5Qs about #bookban challenges to his #graphicnovel FLAMER: "We all deserve to be seen and understood fully" www.hbook.com/story/five-q...
Five questions for Mike Curato
In support of the Massachusetts Freedom to Read bill, author Malinda Lo spoke with author and illustrator Mike Curato about his experiences with challenges to his graphic novel Flamer, whose protagoni...
www.hbook.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Banned Books Week may be over but the fight for the freedom to read and the first amendment continues. I talked with author/artist Mike Curato (FLAMER) about his experiences as an often-banned creator in Massachusetts and beyond. #massfreedomtoread @massaabb.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
@americanbookseller.bsky.social @abfefreeexpression.bsky.social @massaabb.bsky.social @bostoncomicarts.bsky.social #MassFreedomtoRead
#HBOutoftheBox: In support of "An Act Regarding Free Expression" (S.2328/ H.3594) in MA, author @malindalo.bsky.social asked author/illus @mikecurato.bsky.social #5Qs about #bookban challenges to his #graphicnovel FLAMER: "We all deserve to be seen and understood fully" www.hbook.com/story/five-q...
Five questions for Mike Curato
In support of the Massachusetts Freedom to Read bill, author Malinda Lo spoke with author and illustrator Mike Curato about his experiences with challenges to his graphic novel Flamer, whose protagoni...
www.hbook.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
It’s Banned Books Week! It’s time for the MA legislature to pass a Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians & educators from harassment, and protects authors, creators, booksellers & publishers from economic harm. We support An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328). #MassFreedomToRead
October 6, 2025 at 9:16 PM
It’s Banned Books Week! It’s time for the MA legislature to pass a Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians & educators from harassment, and protects authors, creators, booksellers & publishers from economic harm. We support An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328). #MassFreedomToRead
It's Banned Books Week! It's time for the MA legislature to pass a Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians & educators from harassment, and protects authors, creators, booksellers & publishers from economic harm. I support An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328). #MassFreedomToRead
October 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
It's Banned Books Week! It's time for the MA legislature to pass a Freedom to Read bill that protects librarians & educators from harassment, and protects authors, creators, booksellers & publishers from economic harm. I support An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328). #MassFreedomToRead
It's time for the Massachusetts legislature to pass An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328). Protect librarians + educators from harassment; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, + publishers from economic harm due to censorship. #MassFreedomToRead link in bio. #BannedBooksWeek
October 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
It's time for the Massachusetts legislature to pass An Act Regarding Free Expression (H.3594/S.2328). Protect librarians + educators from harassment; and protects authors, creators, booksellers, + publishers from economic harm due to censorship. #MassFreedomToRead link in bio. #BannedBooksWeek
October 4, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Last night at our #MassFreedomToRead event, we were asked how school districts find books to ban. The answers to this have evolved over the years, but in 2025, ”AI” is increasingly involved. Read this story from @heykellyjensen.bsky.social about what’s happening in TX: bookriot.com/leander-sb-13/
Texas School Administrators Use A.I. To Ban Books Like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Leander Independent School District's administrators tell educators to "pause" use of 40 books, including numerous classroom classics.
bookriot.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Last night at our #MassFreedomToRead event, we were asked how school districts find books to ban. The answers to this have evolved over the years, but in 2025, ”AI” is increasingly involved. Read this story from @heykellyjensen.bsky.social about what’s happening in TX: bookriot.com/leander-sb-13/
The #MassFreedomToRead to read website is now live! Sign up to receive updates, learn about upcoming events, share your story. Help protect the right to read in MA! www.massfreedomtoread.org
Mass Freedom To Read
Mass Freedom to Read is a coalition of Massachusetts parents and readers, authors and creators, libraries, booksellers, and publishers. We believe that freedom of expression, including the freedom to…
www.massfreedomtoread.org
September 25, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The #MassFreedomToRead to read website is now live! Sign up to receive updates, learn about upcoming events, share your story. Help protect the right to read in MA! www.massfreedomtoread.org
@noethematt.bsky.social do you know who I might chat with at the Worcester public library if the @massaabb.bsky.social wanted to organize a postcard writing campaign event there for the #MassFreedomToRead bill?
Do you think they would be interested in having us?
Do you think they would be interested in having us?
August 15, 2025 at 11:46 AM
@noethematt.bsky.social do you know who I might chat with at the Worcester public library if the @massaabb.bsky.social wanted to organize a postcard writing campaign event there for the #MassFreedomToRead bill?
Do you think they would be interested in having us?
Do you think they would be interested in having us?
We are so excited about this news out of Florida! It also shows why it's important to encode the Miller Test in freedom to read legislation: so schools and libraries know they must use that test before deciding if a book is obscene. #MassFreedomToRead
“None Of These Books Are Obscene”: Judge Strikes Down Much of Florida’s Book Ban Bill
This is a big win for intellectual freedom and will have big implications in other ongoing lawsuits and future laws aiming to ban books.
bookriot.com/penguin-rand...
This is a big win for intellectual freedom and will have big implications in other ongoing lawsuits and future laws aiming to ban books.
bookriot.com/penguin-rand...
"None Of These Books Are Obscene": Judge Strikes Down Much of Florida's Book Ban Bill
In a major win for intellectual freedom, a judge rules against Florida law that led to removing hundreds of books from school libraries.
bookriot.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:14 PM
We are so excited about this news out of Florida! It also shows why it's important to encode the Miller Test in freedom to read legislation: so schools and libraries know they must use that test before deciding if a book is obscene. #MassFreedomToRead
During the hearing for An Act Regarding Free Expression in Boston last month, I loved how @alexgino.bsky.social spoke about the impact books had on them personally, as well as how censorship affects their livelihood as an author. #MassFreedomtoRead
Stonewall Book Award-winning author @alexgino.bsky.social speaks about why they support Massachusetts' Freedom to Read legislation: because books gave them "language to describe who I was, and knowledge that there were other people like me." #MassFreedomToRead
August 11, 2025 at 7:48 PM
During the hearing for An Act Regarding Free Expression in Boston last month, I loved how @alexgino.bsky.social spoke about the impact books had on them personally, as well as how censorship affects their livelihood as an author. #MassFreedomtoRead
Stonewall Book Award-winning author @alexgino.bsky.social speaks about why they support Massachusetts' Freedom to Read legislation: because books gave them "language to describe who I was, and knowledge that there were other people like me." #MassFreedomToRead
August 11, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Stonewall Book Award-winning author @alexgino.bsky.social speaks about why they support Massachusetts' Freedom to Read legislation: because books gave them "language to describe who I was, and knowledge that there were other people like me." #MassFreedomToRead