On May 9, Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Mass., and advocacy groups EveryLibrary and the Rhode Island chapter of Authors Against Book Bans partnered to host a virtual reading in honor of Children’s Book Week and Floyd Cooper Day. Bringing together 20 authors, the Freedom Read-In will take place on Crowdcast between 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. EST and from 1 to 3 p.m. EST, and is free for all to attend.
The lineup features Sarah Brannen, Samantha Clark, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Tara Dairman, Margarita Engle, Federico Erebia, Debbi Michiko Florence, Martha Freeman, Veera Hiranandani, co-leader of AABB in Washington State Kelly Jones, Rajani LaRocca, Dana Alison Levy, Juana Martinez-Neal, Alison Green Myers, Robin Stevenson, Lisa Stringfellow, Suma Subramaniam, AABB’s Maggie Tokuda-Hall, co-leader of AABB in Rhode Island Padma Venkatraman, and Young People’s Poet Laureate Carole Boston Weatherford.
Founded in 2022 by the Children’s Book Council as part of its nationwide annual literacy celebration, Floyd Cooper Day is held in recognition of the late children’s book author and illustrator who was committed to portraying Black experiences through his storytelling.
Those interested in supporting the freedom to read can send a letter to their legislators using this form.
