America’s booksellers, librarians, and teachers have long been on the front lines of the battle against censorship. In support of these daily efforts, Random House Children’s Books is pleased to present the First Amendment First Aid Kit to address the needs of booksellers and educators.

Dear Friend,

These are dangerous times for books that dare to disturb the universe.

Robert Cormier wrote The Chocolate War thirty years ago, and his haunting story of one boy who dared to defy abusive social pressure has been a target of censors ever since. Of course, this provocative writer is only one of the many authors under fire for their literary works.

Today the fundamental right to read what we want is facing more challenges than ever. Children’s books, in particular, are constant targets of book-banning efforts in school systems and public libraries.

Random House Children’s Books is committed to those who stand against censorship. With this First Amendment First Aid Kit, we ask you, the teachers, booksellers, and librarians who are confronted with censorship issues each and every day, to join with us in utilizing the resources provided here to put this issue front and center in classrooms, libraries, and bookstores all over the country.

In Robert Cormier’s own words, The Chocolate War’s success “is testimony to all the other heroes involved in its history—teachers who have taught the book in the face of censorship attempts that sometimes threatened their jobs; librarians who have had to fight to keep the novel available to readers; critics, writers, and educators who supported the novel in countless reviews and essays; and all the young people who . . . organize protests when the book faces yet another banning threat.”

I thank you for your ongoing efforts to keep The Chocolate War, and all other provocative, challenging, inspiring books for children and young adults, on the shelves of America’s libraries and bookstores for years to come.

Sincerely,

Chip Gibson
President & Publisher
Random House Children’s Books