This is going to be shocking but for once publishing is the MOST NORMAL part of my life at the moment.
This is going to be shocking but for once publishing is the MOST NORMAL part of my life at the moment.
My favorite kind of edits are the ones where my editor asks me to clarify something and then I just delete the sentence entirely.
Last month, eight books were removed from Georgia's statewide reading book for students. It was teenagers who brought this censorship to the spotlightβeven though it's not their job to clean up grown-up messes.
Get to know 3 of those teens here.
bookriot.com/teens-who-ov...
Ahhhh YAY!!!
EVERY BOOK BANNED FROM THE READING BOWL HAS BEEN RESTORED!!!!!
The kids will be able to read and compete over all 20 books. Raising the issue made a difference. Teen advocates made a difference.
docs.google.com/document/u/0...
It's so annoying that I figured out a solution to a problem that's been ailing my book for over a year on a random Tuesday morning when I'm doing my day job.
Cannot wait to chat about this book with Nicole this weekend π
"Who submitted the complaints and what authority do they have to have their opinion on the books available to teens across the state for an optional Reading Bowl? Why would the steering committee capitulate to those requests? Why were those books a problem at all?"
UPDATE -- students in Georgia who've participated in the Reading Bowl have launched a petition to get answers as to why these 8 books were banned. Please amplify their petition and message, as well as the story here.
Petition: www.change.org/p/ensure-tra...
So many students from Georgia have been in touch with me this week about the current censorship situation with the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl β if you have a moment to read and sign their petition, I'd be so grateful. They're doing such incredible and difficult work.
www.change.org/p/ensure-tra...
You know shit's rough when I write a newsletter for the first time since May 2024.
meredithadamo.substack.com/p/been-awhil...
No one will call this anything other than what it is:
pure cowardice.
No one will laud book banners as heroes.
(As if dedicating your time to combing childrenβs and young adult books for sexual / diverse / mature / βinappropriateβ content is somehow brave or noble.)
In the endβand there will be an end to this someday; I really think thatβno one will look back on these coordinated censorship efforts and think of all the kids who were protected.
(Protected from what, exactly?)
(These are rhetorical questions, by the way. We know.)
Whatβs so terrifying about a teen learning to question her experiences, to think for herself, to use her voice?
Whatβs so scary about a survivor of sexual assault realizing that sheβs not to blame for her abuse?
But what are you so afraid of?
Whatβs so frightening about a young woman recognizing the ways in which her body has been violated by boys and men and reclaiming it as her own?
Because censorship is about control.
Itβs about denying young readers the chance to see their experiences reflected on the page and preventing them from seeing experiences other than their own.
Itβs about silencing and dismissing and depriving and restricting.
Itβs about fear.
Iβm also mad.
And frustrated.
And upset.
And yet still my first impulse is to impress.
Look! Look at my accoladesβthe medal, the awards, the stars, the βbest ofβ lists, the state recognition. Doesnβt that mean anything to you?
Obviously not, or else we wouldnβt be in this situation.
To start: I do not begrudge the educators and librarians who are being put in impossible positions by their counties, their school boards, their state legislation.
Iβm honored to be an ally in this fight against censorship. Right now, most of us are doing the best we can with what little we have.
This weekβBanned Books WeekβI learned that NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS was one of eight YA titles (and Georgia Peach Book Award nominees) quietly removed from the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl in Georgia.
I shared my thoughts on censorship over on IG, but I wanted to share them here, too.
Truly impeccable timing to learn that NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS has been banned (yet again) on the first day of Banned Books Week.
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Thank you so much! That means the world to me β if you'd like me to mail you a signed copy for your classroom along with some swag (bookmarks and bookplates), I'd be so happy to do that! Feel free to chat me on here or message me on my site π
Just started this one, and already love it! Takes place in my hometown of Rochester, NY! #Edusky #Books @meredithadamo.bsky.social
Ahhh, I'm always so happy to meet a fellow Rochestarian! I hope you enjoy! π₯°
I wish I could say this is a long story that makes more sense in context but this is literally just the context. I told my therapist I watched Titanic three times in 48 hours and then she was like "Hey have you ever been assessed for OCD?"
Two years ago this week I watched Titanic three times in 48 hours which led to me getting diagnosed with OCD so today I'm celebrating by watchingβYOU GUESSED IT!βTitanic.
i was actually really funny for this