Photo from Laurie Halse Anderson 

Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author whose writing spans young readers, teens, and adults. Combined, her books have sold more than 8 million copies. Her new book, SHOUT, a memoir-in-verse about surviving sexual assault at the age of thirteen and a manifesta for the #MeToo era, has received widespread critical acclaim and was Laurie’s eighth New York Times bestselling book.

Two of her novels, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists, and Chains was short-listed for the prestigious Carnegie medal in the United Kingdom. Laurie has been nominated for Sweden’s Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award seven times. Laurie was selected by the American Library Association for the Margaret A. Edwards Award and has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English.

In addition to combating censorship, Laurie regularly speaks about the need for diversity in publishing and is a member of RAINN’s National Leadership Council. She lives in Philadelphia, where she enjoys cheesesteaks while she writes. Find out more about Laurie by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.

Freedom to Read 2023

Central Illinois Reads: A Freedom to Read partnership

The Freedom to Read is essential to our democracy, but also under attack.

Central Illinois libraries joined together in 2023 to encourage you to exercise your intellectual freedom.

Get a library card. Read outside your comfort zone. Unite against book bans.

For more than 20 years, Peoria Public Library has hosted a citywide literary event inviting all residents to read the same book at once.

But this year, instead of one city and one book, Peoria Public Library joined with sister libraries across Central Illinois to invite everyone to read outside their comfort zone by choosing a banned or challenged book. Instead of Peoria Reads, we are Central Illinois Reads.

Six area public libraries joined Peoria Public Library along with longtime Peoria Reads partners, Bradley University, Methodist College and Neighborhood House.

Our partner libraries include: Chillicothe Public Library, Dunlap Public Library District, Fondulac District Library, Illinois Prairie District Public Library, Morton Public Library and Pekin Public Library.

From April through October, local libraries hosted a number of events to empower you to stand against censorship — from bringing in nationally known authors whose books have been banned to librarians who are pushing back against intolerance, exclusion and censorship.

Our keynote speaker — Laurie Halse Anderson, author of the critically acclaimed yet often censored book, Speak — discussed the dangers of censorship, both to our democracy and educational systems, but also how it will impact future authors.

Find your voice and celebrate your Freedom to Read with us.

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Central Illinois Reads

For more than 20 years, Peoria Public Library has hosted a citywide literary event inviting all residents to read the same book at once. 

But this year, instead of one city and one book, Peoria Public Library is joining with sister libraries across Central Illinois to invite everyone to read outside their comfort zone by choosing a banned or challenged book. Instead of Peoria Reads, we are Central Illinois Reads.

Six area public libraries will join Peoria Public Library along with longtime Peoria Reads partners, Bradley University, Methodist College and Neighborhood House.

Our partner libraries include: Chillicothe Public Library, Dunlap Public Library District, Fondulac District Library, Illinois Prairie District Public Library, Morton Public Library and Pekin Public Library.

Peoria Reads! is led by Peoria Public Library with the help of community partners, Methodist College, Bradley University and Neighborhood House.

• Bring our diverse community together in ways to promote better understanding.

• Broaden and deepen readers’ appreciation for books dealing with significant issues.

• Bring more people into libraries, bookstores, and literacy institutions

• Increase opportunities for discussion between youth and adults

• Achieve a better understanding of ourselves and of our own humanity.

Upcoming Central Illinois Reads Events

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