It’s 2084…
… and Amy is growing up in a world where reading anything but textbooks is forbidden and school libraries no longer exist. When one day, she accidentally stumbles upon an abandoned room at her school and finds a book hidden in a corner, her world is changed forever and she discovers the power one book can have…
This book is twice as long as a normal picture book and fantastic for use with upper elementary students. My tip: download the lesson plans below and use for Banned Books Week!
The Storybook Walk Edition is ready to use. Just cut along the dotted lines, place spreads together in an 11 x 17 laminated pouch, and then display on a hallway, a fence, or along a path.
This edition comes with discussion prompts on each spread and is great for grades 2-6. Find out more and see examples by clicking the button below.
The Power of a Book
Freedom to Read is not your ordinary picture book because its not about an ordinary topic. It challenges children to imagine what life would be like if there were no books or libraries and in so doing makes them consider why we have books in the first place. With book banning happening at a startling rate in the US and items like Project 2025 gaining steam, the idea of a United States without school libraries is no longer fiction. It is important that we teach children today the value of books and libraries.
Need a lesson plan?
The Freedom to Read Resource Pack contains over 30 pages of worksheets and activities for elementary age children. There are three separate lesson plans to choose from: Truth or Fiction, The Value of a Book, and The Future of Books. From learning how to tell the difference between fact and fiction to understanding book censorship throughout history you’ll find a variety of topics related to the freedom to read. Each lesson plan contains pre and post reading discussion questions as well as multiple worksheets.
You will find the entire resource pack for only $4.99 on Teachers pay Teachers. Or just click on the button below and get the resource pack for a limited time for FREE.
Free Posters for the Library
Do you need posters for your library that highlight the power of reading and the importance of the freedom to read? Here are a few images from Freedom to Read along with useful texts for an elementary school library or media center. Just click on the button below the image to download. If you have difficulties downloading or if you need a larger image (I have tried to keep each image here under 10 Mb), please send me an email at kelley.donner@gmail.com.
Behind the Book
We currently live in an environment where books are being banned right and left, where libraries are being closed, and where teachers and librarians are being threatened for allowing children to read what they want to read. I believe that a book can influence you, but it cannot change you into something that you are not. I wrote the first draft of Freedom to Read one day after reading posts on social media and getting fed up. Amy’s story just appeared in my head and fought its way into being. I wanted to show the power that one voice can have and that we should never give up fighting for what we believe in. I sincerely believe in the freedom to read.
