Penguin Random House (PRH), the Authors Guild, and the Educational Book and Media Association (EBMA) jointly submitted an amicus brief on April 9, 2025, to the United States Supreme Court in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case on April 22, 2025.
Since first forming in May 2023, PRH’s Intellectual Freedom Taskforce has been engaged in a variety of legal actions and initiatives to defend freedom of speech and fight back against book bans across the country. Below, we’re sharing some exciting news on our lawsuit against the State of Iowa and Senate File 496, as well as spotlighting a partner organization for authors/illustrators who want to get more involved.
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We’re excited to announce the launch of the new Penguin Random House Banned Books Site to address the sharp rise in book bans and challenges across the country. The site is a centralized destination featuring customized resources for everyone who is interested in taking action against book bans, from librarians and teachers to authors, illustrators, booksellers, parents, and students. Whether you have ten minutes or ten hours to dedicate to this cause, we outline clear ways to make a difference in your community.
In early March, Laurie Halse Anderson, acclaimed Penguin Random House author of Shout, Chains, and Speak, attended a school board meeting in Pennsylvania’s Central Bucks School District to challenge the district’s ban on “sexualized content” in school libraries. Her own books have long been a target of numerous book-banning efforts across the country, including close to her own Pennsylvania home.