What is Intellectual Freedom

As censorship attempts become more commonplace, knowing where to go for support is imperative when facing or anticipating a book challenge. This chapter's purpose is to offer educators a theoretical rationale for supporting students' right to read and describe contemporary efforts to counter censorship in public schools and libraries. The chapter begins with a history of book banning in the United States and shifts to the ways that radical change theory and literacy research can be used in defense of intellectual freedom. Then, the chapter concludes by highlighting the ways that professional organizations, institutions like librarians, and advocacy groups are working to protect the right to read.