National Updates: Congress Takes Action

The event opened with Julia Friedman, Legislative Assistant in the office of Representative Jamie Raskin, who shared the Stop Censoring Military Families Act, new legislation aimed at restoring all books removed from Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools by the Trump Administration and protecting school curricula from political changes. The bill encourages DoDEA schools to use existing review processes, rather than political pressure, when addressing questions about classroom or library materials.

Following the MFFE event, the ACLU shared a major legal victory for free expression: a federal judge ordered DoDEA to return banned books to school shelves. The ruling follows an ACLU lawsuit challenging DoDEA’s removal of titles dealing with race, gender, and sexuality. While the injunction is limited to the schools attended by the plaintiffs, the message is clear: DoDEA’s censorship of books and curriculum materials is unconstitutional. The decision is a clear signal that military-connected students are entitled to the same constitutional protections as their civilian peers. It’s also a powerful reminder of why MFFE exists: to ensure those rights are upheld in every military classroom and community.

MFFE continues to encourage military families to contact their representatives to support the Stop Censoring Military Families Act, given the limited scope of the judge’s order. The legislation also addresses broader impacts and calls for a Government Accountability Office study on the feasibility of creating an independent body to make future curricula determinations at DODEA schools and bars DOD from implementing executive orders from the Trump Administration to remove books from schools.

Take Action: Read MFFE’s comment on the Raskin legislation and call your Representative to voice your support.

State Spotlight: Alabama’s Fight for Free Access

Angie Hayden, founder of Read Freely Alabama, shared how she transformed a local protest against censorship into a statewide movement of more than 3,000 advocates. Her group continues to push back on proposed state-level code changes that would make it easier to remove books from public libraries. Follow along and get involved in their efforts here.

A Voice from the Front Lines

The event closed with writer, advocate, and U.S. Marine Corps widow Karie Fugett, author of Alive Day, inspiring attendees with the story of her banned book wagon, a grassroots project bringing challenged titles directly to Alabama communities. She shared her passion for protecting the First Amendment, propelled by the service of her husband who fought and died for this country and our freedoms. Karie also shared her journey as an advocate and encouraged other military families to use their voices to stand up against censorship.

Raising Our Voices

The gathering closed with calls to action:

• Join MFFE to stay informed and connect with others fighting for free expression.

• Call your Representative to ask them to support the Stop Censoring Military Families Act

Follow MFFE on Facebook andInstagram to keep up with the latest!

MFFE is joining the effort by hosting Operation: Uncensor My Community on Wednesday, October 8th. Tune in online for the latest updates on national and state advocacy efforts and learn how to advocate for free expression from wherever you are in the world. We’ll hear from special guests including Karie Fugett, a military widow, author of Alive Day, and founder of The Banned Wagon.

RSVP to join us

The theme of Banned Books Week this year is Censorship Is So 1984 -- Read for Your Rights!

With the current escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale 1984 serves a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship. This year’s Banned Books Week theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must act to defend our rights.

As part of Banned Books Week, MFFE is proud to sign on to a joint statement alongside other groups recommitting to fighting censorship and authoritarianism all year round. The statement invited all Americans to:

• Message your state and Congressional representatives in support for the right to read,

• Urge elected leaders to promote legislation that protects books, schools, libraries, and librarians.

• Speak out on October 11 for Let Freedom Read Day – and then continue to speak out.

Learn more about Banned Books Week and find other events and opportunities to get involved here.

Check out MFFE’s resources and join us in standing up for intellectual freedom and making your voice heard!

“Military families send our loved ones to defend freedom, yet that same freedom is under threat right here in our military schools and libraries,” said Kellie A., founding member of MFFE and spouse of an active duty servicemember. “This is not about politics. Lifting the DoDEA book ban will allow students to learn from perspectives different from their own, fostering critical thinking and ensuring that our children are not further marginalized by censorship.

“The last thing military families need is Pentagon leadership dictating what books can be on the library shelves or what educators can teach. The Stop Censoring Military Families Act is a commonsense step to restore stability and trust in our schools and libraries by building on existing processes that allow for input from our community. In contrast, Representative Mace’s bill is political theater that ignores the voices of military families,” said Libby Jamison, founding member of MFFE and a military family member.

Why It Matters

• The Stop Censoring Military Families Act would restore access to books removed from Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)schools and block political appointees from making decisions about what books can be read on military installations and in DODEA schools. The legislation also calls for a Government Accountability Office study on the feasibility of creating an independent body to make curricula determinations at DoDEA schools.

• The No Woke Indoctrination of Military Kids Act would bar DoDEA schools from teaching topics labeled “critical race theory” and restrict diversity, equity, inclusion, and affinity programming, measures that would politicize classrooms and chill meaningful education and learning opportunities.

Military families, who must already navigate the unique demands of military life, deserve schools that prioritize educational quality over political agendas. That’s why MFFE supports the Stop Censoring Military Families Act that returns libraries and lesson plans to teachers and families.

“Military children have a right, protected by their parents in uniform, to explore a wide range of resources as they grow into informed citizens.” said Kelly W., founding member of MFFE and spouse of a veteran. “The issue at hand is ultimately one of parents’ rights. Military leadership is not qualified to determine nor is it their duty to tell parents what their children can and cannot learn or read. Book bans and bills like the No Woke Indoctrination of Military Kids Act have nothing to do with the content of the books at issue and everything to do with forcing military families to relinquish their individual freedoms to the whims of politicians.”

Call to Action

MFFE urges lawmakers to:

1. Pass the Stop Censoring Military Families Act to reverse book bans and protect the fundamental freedom to read and learn.
   

2. Reject the No Woke Indoctrination of Military Kids Act as an unnecessary intrusion into classrooms and education.
   

3. Facilitate the participation of military-connected families in education policy decisions.

Military-connected families should contact their representatives and demand protection for their children’s right to learn, read, and grow without political interference.

Want to learn more about MFFE and efforts at the national and state level to push back on censorship?

Join other military-connected families and allies at these events to celebrate Banned Books Week and stand up against censorship:

Operation: Uncensor My Community Hampton Roads

• October 5th at 4PM ET

• More details and RSVP here

Operation: Uncensor My Community Virtual

• October 8th at 7PM ET

• More details and RSVP here

Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE) is urging every family with Alabama connections to share and submit a comment before the October 14th deadline. Currently stationed or living in the state? Originally from Alabama? Then you can submit a comment!

Submit your comment here

This is not just about libraries. It’s about whether government officials can override parental authority, censor communities, and strip away the freedoms that our loved ones in uniform serve to protect.

What’s Being Proposed

• Board member Amy Minton introduced a rule amendment that would force librarians to remove or deny books with “positive portrayals” of transgender people or depictions of individuals who don’t conform to one sex.

• The rule uses vague language like “inappropriate for children or youth,” opening the door to sweeping book bans based on the opinions of one small portion of the community.

• If passed, this amendment would shift power away from local library boards and parents and put it in the hands of a state agency.

Why Military Families Should Care

• We rely on public libraries. Frequent moves mean our kids depend on school and community libraries as stable places to learn, read, and connect.

• We defend freedom. Service members risk their lives to protect freedoms - speech, thought, and expression - that this amendment would erode.

• We value parental authority. Families, not state bureaucrats, should decide what their children read.

What You Can Do

The APLS Board is accepting public comments until October 14, 2025. Every voice matters, and military families carry unique weight in this debate.

• Submit your comment here: Read Freely Alabama Comment Portal

• Speak from your experience. Share why library access matters to your family, how censorship harms your community, and why freedom of expression is non-negotiable.

• Encourage others. Pass this along to friends, neighbors, and fellow military families in Alabama.

Bottom Line

This rule is government overreach, plain and simple. It threatens constitutional rights, undermines parental authority, and burdens librarians with enforcing vague bans. Alabama’s military families know better than most what’s at stake when freedom is eroded.

Now is the time to act. Submit your comment, stand up for your family’s rights, and help stop censorship in Alabama’s libraries.

MFFE’s Comment

Here’s what MFFE submitted to the Board:

To the Board of Directors of the Alabama Public Library Service:

On behalf of Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE), we submit this comment opposing the proposed amendment to Rule 520-2-2-.03.

MFFE is a coalition of military-connected families standing up against censorship and book bans. We are a non-partisan effort, grounded in the freedoms our loved ones in uniform swear to defend.

Alabama is home to more than 55,000 military members and their families. Installations like Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell Air Force Base, Fort Novosel, Anniston Army Depot, and Coast Guard Sector Mobile make Alabama one of the nation’s most significant defense communities. The announced relocation of Space Command to the state will only grow that presence. So for military families, the debate over this amendment to the state library code is not abstract. Book bans and censorship directly affect the schools, bases, and public libraries upon which we depend.

MFFE’s concerns regarding the proposed amendment:

Government overreach

The proposal advanced by Board member Amy Minton compelling librarians to remove or refuse books with “positive portrayals” of transgender people or depictions of individuals who don’t conform to one sex is unconstitutional, dangerous, and far exceeds the limited scope of Governor Ivey’s 2023 letter to the Board. The APLS board is attempting to exceed the boundaries of its authority outlined by the letter and is now trying to define what is “inappropriate” for all residents and families based on the opinions of one small portion of the community.

Constitutional rights and parental authority

The attempted overreach violates the constitutional rights of Alabama families and infringes on the authority given to local boards to determine their own policies and respect parental rights of every Alabama resident, regardless of political, religious, or various other viewpoints. These changes would let the state—not parents—decide what all children can or cannot read. Families in Alabama, including military families who move frequently and rely heavily on public libraries, must retain the right to make those decisions themselves. Censorship strips away that authority.

The freedoms service members defend

Our loved ones in uniform risk their lives to protect freedom of speech. When a state agency censors entire groups of people or ideas, it undermines the very democratic values our families serve to uphold. Intellectual freedom is not optional; it is essential to a free and strong society.

Improper burden on library staff

Expecting librarians to enforce vague bans not only exceeds the Board’s authority but places public servants in an impossible position to be policing ideas and morals rather than serving communities.

MFFE asks the Board to respect the Governor’s own reasoning that library policy should remain in the hands of local boards, within constitutional boundaries. If any revisions are required, they should use the clear, legislatively defined standard of “material that is harmful to minors as defined in § 13A-12-200.1(11),” not vague, overbroad terms like “inappropriate for children or youth.” Courts, including in Penguin Random House v. Gibson and Penguin Random House v. Robbins, have already warned against such sweeping, undefined language.

Military families are proud to serve a country where freedom, including the freedom to read, grow, and learn, is fundamental. MFFE urges the Board to reject this proposed amendment and respect the rights of Alabama families, military and civilian alike, to make their own choices about what their children read.

Signed,

Military Families for Free Expression

Why This Matters

• Our loved ones in uniform defend the Constitution and our freedoms, yet our families are facing restrictions on our own freedoms when it comes to what books can accessed in DODEA schools and local communities.

• Recent directives have pulled almost 600 books from DODEA schools, disproportionately targeting works by and about people of color, people of color, and those addressing themes of identity and justice.

• MFFE is building a platform where families can learn, connect, and act together in defense of the right to read and grow.

Event Highlights

The MFFE gathering featured powerful perspectives from across the free expression and military family community:

• Philomena Polefrone – Associate Director of the American Booksellers for Free Expression, sharing insights on national trends in censorship and how grassroots action makes a difference.

• Vicki Kwiatkowski – Military spouse and former DODEA librarian, offering an inside look at how book challenges and restrictions affect students and educators.

• Charlotte Sullivan Wild – Military spouse and author of a challenged book, speaking firsthand about what it means to have one’s work censored and why representation matters.

Together with the MFFE team, they grounded the conversation in both lived experience and actionable knowledge.

Key Takeaways

• Know your rights: Military families have a constitutional stake in access to books and ideas, even within the unique structure of DODEA and military installations.

• Understand the stakes: Censorship undermines education, silences marginalized voices, and contradicts the freedoms our loved ones serve defend.

• Take action: From contacting school administrators to joining local reading campaigns, there are tangible steps families and allies can take.

Get Involved

• Follow and share MFFE to stay informed.

  • Instagram

  • Facebook

• Call your leaders, both locally and in DC, to share your concerns and demand protections from censorship.

• Start a banned book club.

  • Create a safe space for kids and adults to read and resist censorship.

  • Banned Books Week is October 5-11 - host a Right to Read Night with these resources.

    • Stayed tuned for details on our next event, as we will come together again during Banned Books Week!

This is just the beginning. By coming together, military families can ensure that the freedom to read, learn, and grow is protected here in our community.

We launched Operation: Uncensor My Summer earlier this summer because while the White House promoted their reading challenge, military kids in DoDEA schools and communities around bases are being denied access to books that reflect diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and critical social issues. Hundreds of titles by authors who challenge the status quo have been banned or challenged with this Administration’s support - and our kids deserve better.

So we flipped the script with our unofficial reading challenge. Instead of accepting censorship in our communities, military families and students read banned books this summer as an act of resistance.

Now it’s time to show what that looks like.

How to Wrap Up Your Challenge

• Submit your reading log today, September 5th!

  • Email it to: read@mail.whitehouse.gov

    • Get all the instructions here

  • Share it with us at MFFE so that we can amplify the voices of military families and students standing up against censorship.

    • Share on Facebook or Instagram and tag us

    • Or message us and we will share anonymously

  

• Haven’t finished all 12 books? Not everything on your list is a banned book? That’s ok.

  • Send in what you have anyway - every voice speaking up against book bans matters.

• Want to share more?

  • Post your book list or reflections with #ReadBannedBooks, #UncensorMySummer, or #RedWhiteandBanned.

Why It Matters

Book bans in military communities don’t just hurt students, they send a message that some identities, histories, and stories don’t belong. That’s not the freedom military families fight for.

This summer, our reading wasn’t just about books. It was about standing up for intellectual freedom and our kids’ right to see themselves in the stories on their shelves.

They may ban the books, but they can’t ban our voices.

Turn in your log today. Share it with us. Read freely. Resist loudly.

But the voices of our community carry weight too. Military families understand intimately why our freedoms are worth protecting. We also understand the inherent conflict in the White House encouraging a summer reading challenge while simultaneously banning books at DoDEA schools.

That’s why Military Families for Free Expression is standing up against censorship and book bans. Join us in this effort by participating in Operation: Uncensor My Summer and flipping the White House’s Summer Reading Challenge on its head.

Why this moment calls for action

• The militarization of our cities, from Los Angeles to D.C., raises urgent questions about the rights and freedoms our loved ones in uniform serve to protect.

• Meanwhile, almost 600 books have been banned from DoDEA school libraries.

• For military-connected families and students, these two realities converge: our world is shaped by both deployments and activations and the narrowing of our educations and available resources.

How to participate before September 5th

1. Check out our suggested list of targeted books: start with one that speaks to freedom, justice, or civic courage.

2. Log your reading: aim for 12 books (not all need to be banned titles). Submit your reading log by September 5th to read@mail.whitehouse.gov.

3. Share your story: Post your book selections, favorite stories, or reflections using #ReadBannedBooks, #UncensorMySummer, or #RedWhiteandBanned. And let’s see those reading logs too!

Why it matters
Participating is more than a summer reading goal. It’s a powerful way to say: We defend our country by defending its principles, from our kitchen tables to our libraries to military installations around the globe. By reading these books, families don’t just break barriers - they model curiosity and courage. It's a stand against censorship, and for the freedom to read, learn, and grow.

Want to learn more?
Join MFFE for our first virtual convening on Wednesday, August 13th at 7pm Eastern. RSVP here.

As efforts to restrict access to books spread across the country, including on military bases and in our communities, our voices matter more than ever. At this first convening, we’ll explore the growing threat of book bans and discuss how military families can be powerful advocates for free expression in their schools, libraries, and communities.

What to Expect:

• A welcoming space for military-connected families and allies

• Insight into how censorship is affecting our military community

• Tools and strategies for defending access to diverse books

• A chance to connect, learn, and speak out together

Whether you’re a military spouse, parent, veteran family, educator, or concerned ally, this gathering is for you. Let’s build a coalition that ensures every family, no matter where they live or serve, has the freedom to read, learn, and grow.

RSVP now to join us August 13 at 7PM ET.

RVSP here

This blog unpacks what book bans are, their implications, and why they should concern not just parents or educators, but also members of the military and their families.

What Are Book Bans?

A school book ban occurs when a book is restricted or removed from availability based on its content. PEN America, a non-profit championing free expression, defines a school book ban as "any action taken against a book based on its content through parental or community challenges, administrative decisions, or governmental pressure, resulting in restricted or diminished access."

Key Characteristics of a Book Ban:

• Targeted Removal: Books previously available in libraries or classrooms are deliberately removed due to objections.

• Variety of Decision-Makers: Parents, school boards, legislators, or even higher government officials might initiate these bans.

• Different Methods of Censorship: This includes formal legislation, school policies, and even harassment or intimidation tactics.

These bans aren’t random; they are often part of organized efforts to suppress specific themes like race, gender, or historical truths. This makes it a deliberate challenge to the principles of free expression and access to information.

Understanding the Rhetoric of Book Ban Supporters

Proponents of book bans often use language that feels reasonable at first glance. However, these justifications can obscure the real intent behind the bans. Here are a few prevalent arguments and the reality behind them:

"Ensuring Materials Are Age-Appropriate"

At face value, this sounds fair. Schools should indeed provide content suitable for their audience. However, this is already a standard practice for librarians and educators. Using this phrase as a blanket justification often results in the removal of books that address vital topics in thoughtful, age-appropriate ways.

"Getting Pornography Out of Schools"

The term "pornography" is often weaponized in these discussions to evoke fear. Yet, in reality, schools do not provide explicit materials to students. Books dealing with subjects like consent, identity, or relationships can be mistaken for or deliberately framed as inappropriate, even when written to educate and empower.

"Defending Parents' Rights"

The idea of giving parents a say in their children's education resonates with many. However, there’s a fine line between empowering parents and imposing one family’s beliefs on an entire school or community. When a small group dictates what books all students can access, it undermines the rights of other parents to decide what is best for their children.

"Promoting Divisive Concepts Harms Core Missions"

This argument is prevalent in military contexts, where the focus on harmony and unity can be used to justify censorship. However, shielding individuals from diverse perspectives does not foster strength or understanding. Instead, it creates blind spots that can hinder effective leadership and decision-making.

Why Book Bans Impact Military Families

At first glance, book bans might seem like an issue confined to public school boards or public libraries. However, they have unique implications for military families.

Access to Diverse Perspectives

Military kids grow up in uniquely diverse environments. They interact with peers from different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Books that discuss race, gender, and history are vital for them to both understand their own identities and empathize with others. Limiting access to these materials creates gaps in their awareness and education.

Preparing for a Global Mission

Military service members are tasked with defending democracy, freedom, and pluralism on a global scale. How can they lead effectively in diverse and challenging environments if they’ve been sheltered from the complexities of the world? Understanding multiple perspectives, even when they’re uncomfortable, is critical—not just for service members, but also for their families who often serve as informal ambassadors of goodwill abroad.

The Irony of Fighting for Freedom While Facing Censorship

Service members dedicate their lives to defending freedom. Yet ironically, many book bans threaten this very principle. Denying access to ideas and stories, particularly those that explore contentious or complex topics, contradicts the values of liberty and free expression that so many have sworn to uphold and protect.

Why Defending Access to Books Matters

Book bans go beyond restricting access to literature; they represent a broader attempt to narrow the boundaries of thought and conversation. They prevent individuals and communities, particularly young people, from engaging with challenging ideas that could lead to personal growth and societal understanding.

At Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE), we believe in standing against such restrictions. Our mission is grounded in the freedoms protected by service members. We aim to ensure that military-connected families have access to educational materials that reflect the diverse world we live in and the principles our service members fight for.

By defending access to books, we defend the core values of democracy: free expression, critical thinking, and informed decision-making.

To help you in your fight against censorship, we've compiled a list of the most effective tools and resources to equip you to speak up.

Resources

Join the Fight for Free Expression

If this resonates with you, we invite you to take action. Join our growing community of military families united against censorship and book bans.

You can sign up directly to join MFFE and help ensure that all students—including military kids—have access to the books and stories that matter most. Together, we can push back against restrictions and advocate for free expression.

Join us today

The vast majority of the titles center on gender and racial themes, part of a broader campaign to silence marginalized voices that ultimately threatens access to knowledge and development of critical thinking for military-connected students.

Highlights from the banned list include:

• Educational resources, including AP Psychology study guides discussing gender identity, puberty guides with gender references, and books on Stonewall and LGBTQ+ history.

• Award‑winning fiction, including Ta‑Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You, and various titles on Black Lives Matter and privilege.

• Children’s biographies about transgender leaders like Chaz Bono, Laverne Cox, Rachel Levine, and others, along with With Honor and Integrity, an anthology of transgender service members’ stories.

• Graphic novels such as Heartstopper, which portrays a teen gay romance adapted into a Netflix series.

View the full list of banned books in the court documents here.

What happens next?

DoDEA maintains that these books are under temporary review and haven’t been permanently banned, although no process or timetable for reinstatement has been announced.

Why It Matters to Military Families

• Freedom at stake: Military kids, like all students, are entitled to access diverse and authentic voices. Removing these books raises serious free speech concerns and is especially egregious in military schools where students come from families who serve every day to protect those rights at home and abroad.
  

• Educational harm: These materials are crucial tools for understanding identity, history, and empathy. Their removal leaves gaps in students’ learning and worldview. Military kids in particular grow up in uniquely diverse environments. They interact with peers from different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Books that discuss race, gender, and history are vital for them to both understand their own identities and empathize with others.

Push Back: Join Our "Uncensor Your Summer" Reading Challenge

To push back on this censorship, MFFE is inviting military families and allies to uncensor your summer and join us in reading banned books as an act of resistance. This isn’t just summer reading, it’s a stand for intellectual freedom and the right of military kids to see themselves in the stories on their shelves.

Join Operation Uncensor Your Summer

How to Join the UnOfficial Summer Reading Challenge:

1. Check Out Banned or Challenged Books: We’ve provided a list of suggested titles pulled from DoDEA and local district complaints that you can check out from your local library or buy online.

2. Read with Purpose: Talk with your kids about why the books matter. Discuss the themes, the characters, and why someone might want to keep them off the shelves.

3. Submit the Reading Log: Once your kiddo has finished 12 books (they don’t all have to be from the banned list!), make sure they submit the reading log by September 5th to read@mail.whitehouse.gov.

4. Share Your Story: Post your book selections, favorite stories, or reflections using #ReadBannedBooks, #UncensorMySummer, or #RedWhiteandBanned. And let’s see those reading logs too!

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just about 596 books: it's about what voices we value in our community. Book bans in military communities don’t just hurt students, they impact entire families. They send the message that some stories, identities, and histories are too dangerous to explore. That’s not the freedom military families stand for.

Let’s read boldly, share openly, and stand firm in defense of free expression.

Second Lady Usha Vance wants you to read this summer. She’s launched a nationwide Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging families, including military families, to cozy up with books and build a love of learning.

We love books too. But there’s a problem with this challenge.

While the White House promotes reading in public, military kids in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools are being denied access to books that reflect diverse perspectives, important lived experiences, and critical social issues. Titles by authors that challenge the status quo are being banned or challenged on military bases across the globe. And it’s not just on base. These bans are happening in our communities around military bases too. All of this has a negative impact on military kids, who have a right protected by their parents in uniform to explore a wide range of resources as they grow into informed citizens.

We see the contradiction. And we’re not playing along.

So this summer, we’re taking the White House’s Summer Reading Challenge and flipping it on its head.

Welcome to the MFFE Summer Reading Challenge

Military Families for Free Expression (MFFE) is inviting military families and allies to join us in reading banned books as an act of resistance.

This isn’t just summer reading, it’s a stand for intellectual freedom and the right of military kids to see themselves in the stories on their shelves.

Whether it's Freckleface Strawberry (written by Julianne Moore, a military kid herself), A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, or The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth, these books are being challenged and stripped from libraries where military kids learn and grow.

Why This Matters

Book bans in military communities don’t just hurt students - they impact entire families. They send the message that some stories, identities, and histories are too dangerous to explore. That’s not the freedom military families stand for.

If the White House wants military families to celebrate reading and books, they should stop censoring them first.

Until then, our summer reading is resistance.

How to Join the UnOfficial Summer Reading Challenge:

1. Check Out Banned or Challenged Books: We’ve provided a list of suggested titles pulled from DoDEA and local district complaints that you can check out from your local library or buy online.

   

2. Read with Purpose: Talk with your kids about why the books matter. Discuss the themes, the characters, and why someone might want to keep them off the shelves.

   Resources

3. Submit the Reading Log: Once your kiddo has finished 12 books (they don’t all have to be from the banned list!), make sure they submit the reading log by September 5th to read@mail.whitehouse.gov.

   

4. Share Your Story: Post your book selections, favorite stories, or reflections using #ReadBannedBooks, #UncensorMySummer, or #RedWhiteandBanned. And let’s see those reading logs too!

This summer, let’s show our kids what patriotism really looks like: curiosity, courage, and the freedom to think for ourselves.

They may ban the books, but they can’t ban our voices.

Join us. Read freely. Resist loudly.

In particular, Hillsborough County - home to MacDill Air Force Base and whose public schools serve over 4,000 military families - has become the target of a recent campaign spearheaded by the Florida Board of Education to spark a new wave of book bans, bypassing existing book review processes and community input. In the past month, the State Board of Education and Attorney General have pressured Hillsborough County to ban 55 books and review over 600 more.

Why this matters to military families

Our commitment as military families to sacrificing on behalf of the freedoms of all Americans mandates that we demand intellectual freedom for our children, military students, and our communities. Stripping diverse books from shelves - or worse, implementing sweeping bans without due process - risks repeating in educational spaces the very censorship our loved ones in uniform signed up to fight against in other countries.

When states like Florida override local libraries and educators and apply broad censorship mandates, everyone’s right to access a wide range of ideas and identities is under threat. And when a military academy in Colorado or a DoDEA school follows suit, it worsens this form of censorship. It’s bad for our military kids, who have a right protected by their parents in uniform, to explore a wide range of resources as they grow into informed citizens. Servicemembers are also entitled to robust, well-rounded education through military academies, war colleges, and professional development programs. Limiting access to a full spectrum of ideas undermines their intellectual readiness and strategic thinking, both of which are essential to national security.

Who’s pushing back?

• More than 40 organizations have demanded an investigation into these arbitrary censorship edicts in Florida.
  

• Military families have initiated lawsuits with the help of the ACLU, aiming to restore access to resources and shine a spotlight on unconstitutional censorship in DoDEA schools.
  

• Groups like Red Wine and Blue are organizing lobby days and “read ins” to fight back against book bans.

What this means for MFFE and military families

1. By speaking out as military families, we help safeguard the right to read, learn, and think openly for our military students and their peers.
   

2. MFFE’s membership as signatories to the letter in Florida strengthens this movement with each voice amplifying demands for fair process, respect for local educators, and genuine Constitutional protections.

How you can help

• Sign up to get involved with MFFE by filling in our interest form.

• Amplify the issue on social media and within your local community:

  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • Shareable Flyer

Sign up via our interest form to join us in the fight for free expression.

Join Us

The Why

In response to executive orders eliminating DEI efforts across federal agencies, the Department of Defense has already begun removing books from DODEA libraries, books that reflect diverse perspectives, important lived experiences, and critical social issues. Now, with the May 9th directive establishing the “Committee for Reviewing the Department's Military Educational Institution Library Collections,” this effort is expanding across DOD.

As military families, we know firsthand the importance of protecting the freedoms our service members swear to defend—including the freedom to read, learn, and access information without censorship. Our children have a right, protected by their parents in uniform, to explore a wide range of resources as they grow into informed citizens. Servicemembers are also entitled to robust, well-rounded education through military academies, war colleges, and professional development programs. Limiting access to a full spectrum of ideas undermines their intellectual readiness and strategic thinking, both of which are essential to national security.

We are taking a stand because these book bans are not just about titles; they are about erasing identities, silencing dialogue, and undermining the very democratic values our families serve to uphold. By organizing through education, empowerment, and collective action, MFFE is working to ensure that our libraries remain places of inclusion, inquiry, and truth.

Join Us

For military families, the impact is particularly stark. Whether you're stationed on a base, have children in DoDEA schools, or interact with local public schools and libraries, book bans challenge the values of diversity, open-mindedness, and the freedom to learn.

The good news? While book bans are a growing concern, tools and resources are available to help you fight back. Here's everything you need to know about mobilizing against book censorship and protecting the right to read in your community.

Book Bans in Historical Context

Book bans are not new in the United States. From banning works like Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to contemporary challenges of LGBTQ+ inclusive material, censorship has always been an ideological battle. Historically, however, these bans have often suffered public criticism, with organizations pushing back to defend First Amendment rights.

Today, that fight continues, but we’re not starting from scratch. Several established organizations and resources are ready to support local advocates by providing legal knowledge, action kits, and educational tools.

Powerful Resources to Combat Book Bans

To help you in your fight against censorship, we've compiled a list of the most effective tools and resources to equip you to speak up.

Red, Wine and Blue Book Banning Buster Packet

This packet is an actionable guide designed to empower individuals who want to take a stand against book censorship in their communities. With step-by-step instructions, templates for addressing school boards or public officials, and more, this is an essential resource for anyone ready to speak out.

• Take Action

  • Learn more and download the packet

Book Resumes Project

The Book Resumes Project provides concise summaries for challenged books. These résumés outline each title’s significance and educational value, making them ideal for parents, librarians, or educators defending books in front of decision-making committees or government officials.

• Explore the Resumes

  • Find summaries for hundreds of books

Unite Against Book Bans

Organized by the American Library Association, this initiative offers tools, action plans, and guidance for attending library and school board meetings. Unite Against Book Bans empowers communities to rally against censorship and advocate for intellectual freedom.

• Get Started

  • Visit Unite Against Book Bans

Banned Books Week and Let Freedom Read Day

Mark your calendars for October 5–11, when Banned Books Week will celebrate the freedom to read. On October 11, participate in Let Freedom Read Day, a national day of action where book lovers unite to resist censorship.

• Celebrate Banned Books Week

  • Learn more about this initiative

PEN America

PEN America has an extensive resource called Cover to Cover, analyzing the titles banned during the 2023–2024 school year. PEN also actively tracks censorship efforts and organizes campaigns to protect free expression.

• Access the Analysis

  • Visit PEN America resources

National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)

NCAC’s Free Expression Network is an alliance of organizations united to safeguard First Amendment rights. Their Book Censorship Action Kit provides templates for letters to decision-makers, advocacy tips, and advice for navigating legal challenges related to book banning.

• Take Advantage of Action Kits

  • Access NCAC resources

Kids’ Right to Read Project

This initiative offers handbooks, legal guides, and other tools specifically crafted for parents and students who want to defend books targeted by censorship campaigns. From defending individual titles to creating a literacy-first initiative in your school district, this project is a champion for young readers.

• Fight for Children’s Access

  • Explore Kids’ Right to Read resources

NCAC’s Book Censorship Action Kit

Packed with practical advocacy steps for parents and students, this kit includes templates for letters, op-eds, and petitions. It also offers guidance for creating community awareness around censorship issues.

• Download the Action Kit

  • Get the Advocacy Toolkit

MFFE Banned Books Handout

Written specifically for military families, this handout covers the history of book bans, their impact on military families, and calls to action for our community to fight back against this censorship.

• Share the Handout

  • Download the MFFE handout here

Understanding the Legal Standards

When fighting book bans, it’s important to understand the legal framework. The Miller Test, established by the Supreme Court, provides criteria for determining whether material is obscene and thus unprotected by the First Amendment. Advocates should familiarize themselves with these legal boundaries to counteract weak arguments for banning books.

For instance, many censorship attempts cite a single scene or isolated detail in a book, ignoring broader educational or artistic significance. And Tango Makes Three, a children’s book about two male penguins raising a chick, is one example of such selective scrutiny.

Trusted sources for book reviews include the following:

• Booklist Online

• School Library Journal

• Kirkus Reviews

Having credible reviews and arguments on hand can bolster your case when challenging bans or presenting to policymakers.

The MFFE committee’s formation comes in response to increasing efforts by the Department of Defense (DoD) to remove a wide range of books from library shelves across the services, many of which feature themes related to race, gender, and history. In response to executive orders eliminating DEI efforts across the federal agencies, the Department of Defense has already removed books from DoD Education Activity (DODEA) libraries. Now, with the May 9th directive establishing the “Committee for Reviewing the Department's Military Educational Institution Library Collections,” this effort is expanding across DoD. Under this latest directive, service Secretaries have until tomorrow - May 21, 2025 - to identify library materials arbitrarily deemed “divisive” and incompatible with the DoD’s mission and to sequester those materials without any further review or appeal process.

Military-connected families supporting MFFE argue that such efforts undermine the core values of military service, including integrity, diversity, and the defense of American constitutional rights.

"Military families send our spouses, parents, and children to defend freedom, yet that same freedom is under threat right here in our military libraries," said Kellie A., founding member of MFFE and spouse of an active duty servicemember. "This is not about politics. It’s about preserving access to knowledge, fostering critical thinking, and ensuring that our children—who already face unique challenges as military dependents—are not further marginalized by censorship."

MFFE is calling for the DoD to halt censorship initiatives, commit to transparency in library policy decisions, and provide a platform for the voices of military families and educators in any decisions that affect access to literature for service members and their families.

“We know firsthand the importance of protecting the freedoms our service members swear to defend, including the freedom to read and access information without censorship,” said Kelly W., founding member of MFFE and spouse of a veteran. “Our children have a right, protected by their parents in uniform, to explore a wide range of resources as they grow into informed citizens. Service members are also entitled to a well-rounded education through military institutions. Limiting access to a full spectrum of ideas undermines their intellectual readiness and strategic thinking, which are essential to our national security.”

MFFE will host a virtual convening of military families as well as hold in-person events in military communities to inform and educate fellow military-connected families on the history and dangers of book bans and empower them to take action against censorship on and off base.

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