Books and stories can inspire, create empathy, and be cathartic outlets. They expand our understanding of the lived experience as one of the most important conduits for how we spread knowledge and participate in shared humanity. Building on the work of Rudine Sims Bishop, Battle of the Bans: Narratives of Reading and Engaging with Banned Books explores how challenged and banned books act as windows, mirrors, and sliding doors. In the United States and globally, the twenty-first century is seeing renewed efforts at banning books in a variety of forms, including parental controls, book burning, curricular erasure and epistemicide, and social media banning. These efforts have the potential of silencing particular stories, histories, and perspectives. Book banning targets and has deleterious impacts on particular communities, including but not restricted to people of color, LGBTQ+, religious and cultural minorities, and people with different abilities. This edited collection counteracts the narrative that books are dangerous, centering a celebration of how stories shape lives. Educators, families, and individuals present a range of perspectives on how particular banned books have changed their lived experience and view of the world. Contributors discuss children’s literature, young adult literature, fiction, and nonfiction texts. The book is comprised of three parts. In the Context section, contributors explore lessons and/or situations for how banned books have, can, or should be used. In the Introspection section, contributors provide narratives about how banned books shaped a sense of self. In the Action section, contributors detail steps taken in response to book bans, providing strategies for countering censorship and erasure in classrooms, schools, and libraries. Battle of the Bans creates hope and conversation in an era of political divisiveness. It inspires readers to reflect on their own experiences with books, creates dialogue, and provides pathways to challenge book banning, ensuring access to stories, histories, and perspectives. The book will appeal to a wide range of audiences, including academics, librarians, classroom teachers, parents, and readers who understand the value of books and literature. Perfect for courses such as: Multicultural Literature; Honors Seminar/Special Topics: Book Banning; Curriculum Theory in Education; History of Reading; Contemporary Social Issues; Introduction to American Studies; Introduction to Policy Studies; Qualitative Research Methods; Narrative Research Methods; and Essay Writing “ Battle of the Bans: Narratives of Reading and Engaging with Banned Books is a rallying cry for educators, librarians, and readers who refuse to let fear dictate what young people can discover. These essays testify to the life-changing power of banned books and the courage of those who defend them.” -- Amanda Jones, librarian and author of That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America “ Battle of the Bans: Narratives of Reading and Engaging with Banned Books is a testimony to the power of stories to engage and enlighten. The heartfelt essays and strategies will offer inspiration to educators, librarians, and readers fighting the good fight. It’s truly a must read for anyone who understands the value of the power of books to help us better understand ourselves and the lived experiences of others.” -- Angie Thomas, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give, Concrete Rose, On The Come Up, and Nic Blake and the Remarkables “As sweeping national book bans attempt to silence stories, histories, and perspectives of people from marginalized and underrepresented communities, the essays found in Battle of the Bans: Narratives of Reading and Engaging with Banned Books remind readers why personal and complex stories will always resonate deeply. By fighting for their inclusion and access for others, they strive to present readers an opportunity to see a fuller and more honest picture of the world.” -- Jason Reynolds, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, Long Way Down, and As Brave as You “There absolutely is a ‘cancel culture,’ and the core of it is in the rightwing censorship via book bannings. Battle of Bans: Narratives of Reading and Engaging with Banned Books offers a timely and compelling overview of this part of the modern culture wars, while also offering audiences different avenues for action and self-reflection. This bold and important new book acknowledges that fear is the entire point of the bannings, but if we are to truly support our students, they must have access to knowledge― especially that which is considered “dangerous.” Through this, Panozzo and Eaton challenge us to engage freedom as a process by resisting ideological repression.” -- Nolan L. Cabrera, University of Arizona and author of Banned! The Fight For Mexican American Studies in the Streets and the Courts Matthew Panozzo is an