Welcome back to our School & Library Spotlight newsletter. In our latest issue, we bring you the latest developments in the fight for the freedom to read, including an industry-wide coalition opposing federal book bans. Librarians share their experiences working with student volunteers to get kids excited about books. And we take a look at a new imprint for decodable books.
A note: PW is seeking a school librarian or media specialist as a source for a forthcoming article on helping young readers with dyslexia thrive. If you have particular expertise in this area and are interested in participating, please get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Appeals Court Rules for Iowa in Book Banning FightThe ACLU and publishers suffered setbacks in separate lawsuits that challenge the constitutionality of Iowa’s Senate File 496. An appeals court vacated a ruling that prevented the law, which restricts teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ topics with students in kindergarten through the sixth grade and backs book bans in libraries and classrooms, from being enforced.
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ALA Shares Challenged Books ListIn recognition of National Library Week and Right to Read Day on April 20, the American Library Association announced its top 11 most challenged books of 2025 as part of its 2026 State of America’s Libraries Report.
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Trustbridge Partners Acquires LiteratiThe Hong Kong–based equity firm, which also owns the Walker Books Group, has added the Austin-based education technology company to its portfolio. Launched in 2016, Literati initially offered children’s book subscription box service and later expanded into school book fairs.
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NBF Plans to ‘Lean In’ to Promote ReadingGiven the uncertainty surrounding literary funding, the new five-year plan for the National Book Foundation calls for the organization to up its efforts to promote books and literacy, said executive director Ruth Dickey.
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Captain Underpants Book-Sharing Boxes Pop Up Across U.S. Dav Pilkey is funding the creation of 100 custom-made Captain Underpants book-sharing boxes that are being installed by Little Free Library in partnership with Scholastic in schools and public libraries in underserved communities around the U.S. through July.
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The Reading League Launches Decodable Books ImprintThe Reading League, a national nonprofit committed to promoting evidence-based instruction, along with its new publishing branch, the Reading League Press, is releasing the Read Then Peek series, a comprehensive guide to early literacy education.
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Lerner Publisher Services to Distribute Inquisitive PressLerner Publisher Services, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, is partnering with Inquisitive Press to be its exclusive distributor in the U.S. and Canada, effective August 2026. Inquisitive Press focuses on publishing children’s nonfiction that aims to educate and inspire early elementary readers.
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Randi SmithKentucky librarian assistant Randi Smith brings the dangers of book banning to the forefront in her YA debut novel
Ada Holloway’s Had Enough. Smith discussed what her work within libraries has shown her about modern book bans.
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Sarah LamdanDuring National Library Week and all year long, the executive director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tackles censorship.
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