For the first time in its history, the Louisville Book Festival will take place during Banned Books Week—and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Each year, Banned Books Week shines a national spotlight on the rising tide of censorship in the United States, particularly aimed at books that explore topics such as race, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental health, and other lived experiences that some consider “controversial.” This year’s festival, which has always championed diverse storytelling, now finds itself in cosmic alignment with this national call to action.
What Is Banned Books Week?
Banned Books Week is an annual event launched in 1982 by librarian and activist Judith Krug, the former director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. It was created in response to a sudden surge in challenges to books in libraries, classrooms, and bookstores. The week serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of censorship and the importance of free and open access to information.
Since its inception, Banned Books Week has grown into a nationwide movement, supported by organizations such as:
- The American Library Association (ALA)
- PEN America
- National Coalition Against Censorship
- American Booksellers Association
- National Council of Teachers of English
- Authors Against Book Bans
Typically held the last week in September, the event celebrates books that have been challenged, banned, or removed from shelves—and highlights the librarians, educators, authors, and readers who defend them.
What Books Are Being Banned Today?
According to recent reports from PEN America and the ALA, book bans have reached record levels across the country, with thousands of titles being targeted in school and public libraries. The most frequently challenged books are overwhelmingly those that center:
- LGBTQIA+ characters and identities
- Black and Brown authors and histories
- Stories about racism, civil rights, and social justice
- Narratives that affirm diverse family structures and gender expression
These are not just abstract policy concerns. They are direct attempts to erase real people and real stories from public view.
How the Louisville Book Festival Pushes Back Through Celebration
From the beginning, the Louisville Book Festival has been committed to amplifying marginalized voices and creating a community event where all stories are welcome. Each year, the festival features authors and illustrators who speak honestly about identity, trauma, resilience, joy, and justice—offering readers of all ages a chance to see themselves on the page.
Whether it’s children discovering books with characters who look like them for the first time, or adults finally writing the story they’ve held inside for decades, the Louisville Book Festival stands as a joyful, inclusive act of resistance.
This year’s alignment with Banned Books Week only reinforces that mission.
“If you want a powerful, joyful way to stand up to book bans, come to the Louisville Book Festival,” says festival founder Deedee Cummings. “This event is not just about reading—it’s about reclaiming space. It’s about telling the stories that matter, especially when others try to silence them.”
“We are so proud that this year’s festival falls during Banned Books Week. It affirms everything we believe in.”
About the Founder: Deedee Cummings
The Louisville Book Festival was founded by Deedee Cummings, a Louisville-based therapist, attorney, and award-winning children’s book author. Through her company, Make A Way Media, Cummings has dedicated
her career to elevating diverse stories, promoting literacy equity, and teaching people of all ages that hope, healing, and dreaming are not luxuries—they’re necessities.
Under her leadership, the festival has grown into a vibrant, community-rooted event that reflects the beauty and diversity of Louisville and beyond.
Join Us and Celebrate the Freedom to Read
This year, more than ever, the Louisville Book Festival invites you to come celebrate the books that have changed lives—and continue to be challenged. Bring your family, meet incredible authors, and show the world that books save lives.
Cummings added, “Banning books doesn’t make the truth disappear. It just makes us louder.”
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