These groups are pushing back against book bans and challenges

It's disheartening to watch the increasingly frequent attempts to ban books in schools and libraries.

So whenever possible, we like to share the inspirational people who are fighting back, in big and small ways.
Today we have three such stories.

First up: the Banned Book Club of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, featured in the Guardian.

The club, which meets every two weeks, was founded by a fourteen-year-old and includes members ranging from thirteen to sixteen.

They just finished Animal Farm by George Orwell and are headed to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas next.

Kutztown's Banned Book Club is funded by donations, which is another trend we're happy to share.

In Missouri, for example, a nonprofit and bookstore have teamed up to offer the Banned Book Program to residents of the Show Me State.

In Purpose Educational Services and the bookstore EyeSeeMe, both based in St. Louis, will ship one copy of a challenged book, per month, to Missourians who request them.

Within hours of its January launch, the Banned Book Program received over $3,000 in donations, according to NPR's St. Louis affiliate.

And finally, we have an established banned-book club to highlight, also thanks to NPR.

The Banned Book Club in Tacoma, Washington, has been around for sixteen years; two members shared why they value its mission with NPR.

Related posts 

• Stores, schools and others are making sure students can still read Maus 

• Pennsylvania library promises access to books banned in local schools