As an individual deeply affected by the current literacy crisis, I fully understand how critical access to information is for the improvement of our society. In the United States, it's alarming to learn that 32 million adults can’t read, while 21% of adults read below a 5th-grade level (National Center for Educational Statistics). An integral part of addressing this issue begins with our grade schools. Recently, there has been a wave of book banning in schools which threatens to exacerbate the literacy crisis and prevent our children from having access to crucial information for their education and personal growth. When books are banned, the essential perspectives, stories, and information they contain are lost. As Frederick Douglass once said, "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." Let's provide our children with the freedom to learn, explore, and develop with the most diverse and comprehensive educational resources. This practice - this censorship - ties the hands of our educators and blinds our children. Together, we can take a stand. Sign this petition and say 'No' to book banning in our grade schools!