Banned books

In schools and libraries all over the U.S. books are being challenged by school boards, administrators, parents and others. Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read, and no book should ever be intentionally destroyed. A number of organizations are addressing this issue from Unite Against Book Bans to Banned Books Week to the American Library Association. Learn more about this issue, and join in Dave Eggers’s work to fight book bans below.

To Be Destroyed

To Be Destroyed is a documentary which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was broadcast on MSNBC in August 2024. The film follows Dave Eggers as he meets with students and teachers in the Rapid City, SD school district where his novel The Circle was pulled from shelves along with works by Alison Bechdel, Stephen Chbosky, Bernardine Evaristo and Imbolo Mbue. Through footage of heated school board meetings, community rallies and interviews with locals, we learn how these books were designated “to be destroyed."

Donate to provide banned books for students in need.

The Hawkins Project is a nonprofit as described by IRS 501 c 3, and funds collected will be used to purchase banned books for students who have been denied access. All purchases will be via independent booksellers.

Download posters and fliers in support our right to read.

Purchase a “Let teachers teach” or “let readers read” shirt to provide banned books to students.

Have you been affected by a book ban in your community?

Tell us your story. Or get in touch to request a book if you’ve been denied access. Essay submissions for McSweeney’s series on banned books in the U.S. have a 300-word limit. Requests for books will be fulfilled for high school juniors and seniors and are dependent upon our budget.