About Our Freedom to Read Festival
Our Beginnings
The Freedom to Read Family Festival in Queens is a grassroots initiative that emerged from a heartfelt conversation among close friends and parents living in Queens in 2023. Our mission is to celebrate our right to read and stand against book censorship, fostering a sense of community and solidarity. We believe in the importance of advocating for freedoms and teaching our children about their significance.
Mission Statement
To celebrate and defend the right to read by bringing together families and communities in a joyful, engaging environment that fosters advocacy against censorship and promotes the importance of literacy for all.
Vision Statement
A world where every individual has the freedom to explore ideas through literature, where communities stand united against censorship, and where every child is empowered to learn, read, and grow without barriers.
Values
- Freedom of Expression: We believe in the fundamental right to access diverse literature and ideas.
- Community Engagement: We are committed to building strong, supportive communities through collaboration and shared experiences.
- Equity in Education: We advocate for equal access to quality education and resources for all children, regardless of their background.
- Joyful Learning: We celebrate the joy of reading and learning, creating an inviting atmosphere for families and children.
- Advocacy: We are dedicated to standing up against censorship and promoting literacy as a vital part of a democratic society.
- Inclusivity: We embrace diversity and strive to ensure that all voices are heard and respected in our community.
Organizers
This event is organized by Yvette from Something for Sophie and Holly and Vina from Kew & Willow Books, with invaluable support from parent-led equity groups at PS 144, PS 303, PS 175, and PS 196, as well as D28 Action for Equity. Thanks to our local sponsors, contributions from ticket sales and a silent auction, we’re proud to donate proceeds to AQE (Alliance for Quality Education), an organization dedicated to promoting educational equity across New York, regardless of zip code.
If you’d like to learn more or get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
Frequent Asked Questions
Common Questions
Why are books challenged?
Sometimes, people want to remove certain books because they believe those books have ideas or topics that might not be good for kids. They think they’re protecting children from things like inappropriate content or bad language. Some common reasons people challenge books are that they think the book has too much sexual content, uses bad language, or isn’t suitable for any age group.
Censorship, which means stopping someone from sharing their thoughts or ideas, can happen in big or small ways. Even if it seems small, it can still be harmful. A famous thinker, John Stuart Mill, said that silencing someone is unfair. If most people think one way and only one person thinks differently, it’s wrong to silence that one person. Everyone should be able to share their opinions, because that helps us all understand things better.
Who would challenge books?
Throughout history, more and different kinds of people and groups of all persuasions than you might first suppose, who, for all sorts of reasons, have attempted—and continue to attempt—to suppress anything that conflicts with or anyone who disagrees with their own beliefs.
What are some of the most surprising book bans in history?
From Harriet the Spy to the Dictionary, from The Diary of Anne Frank to Little Red Riding Hood. Check this list printed in 2024 by The Week magazine.