Our Banned Book Festival promises an enriching experience with live author talks, engaging discussion panels, delectable food, and, perhaps most excitingly, an opportunity to select one banned or challenged book of your choice for free. In addition, attendees will have the chance to explore a diverse and extensive collection of such books within our bookstore. As we all know, book bans in public schools have a long history in America, with significant flare-ups during moments such as the McCarthy era and the early 1980s. However, the scope and scale of book censorship have expanded significantly since the start of the 2021–22 school year, presenting an unprecedented challenge to intellectual freedom.
Baldwin & Co. Bookstore is committed to pushing back against these bans and the intolerance, exclusion, and censorship that they represent. We firmly believe in the freedom to write and recognize the transformative power of words in shaping our world and we are striving to protect the essential right to free expression. We would be honored to have you join our efforts in championing the freedom to read and write. Your presence at our Banned Book Festival would be a wonderful addition and we hope that you will be able to join us.
Event Details:
Event Kickoff and Welcome- Emcee welcomes attendees and introduces the event- Explanation of the festival's purpose and goals.
Guest Speaker Session: Importance of Reading Books- Invited expert speakers discuss the significance of reading books in personal and intellectual development- Emphasis on the power of storytelling and its impact on society.
Guest Speaker Session: Importance of Access to Literature and Learning- Renowned speakers address the importance of equal access to literature and learning opportunities for all individuals- Discussion on the role of education in promoting social justice and equality.
Food Truck Service: Attendees can enjoy a variety of delicious food options from local food trucks- Time for networking and socializing.
Author Talk: Meet the Authors- Acclaimed authors present their books, sharing insights and inspirations behind their literary works- Opportunities for Q&A and book signing sessions.
Musical Performances: Live music performances from local artists and bands- Engaging and entertaining performances to create a vibrant atmosphere.
Free Books Giveaway: All students attending the festival receive complimentary books of their choice- A wide selection of genres and age-appropriate books available.
Free Gift Bags Distribution: Special gift bags filled with literary-themed goodies and educational materials handed out to students- Encouragement to continue reading and exploring literature
Event Conclusion and Farewell: Final remarks from the organizers and appreciation for attendees' participation- Encouragement to continue supporting literature and promoting access to education
“‘Let us descend,’ the poet now began, ‘and enter this blind world.’” —Inferno, Dante Alighieri
"Language so beautifully evocative that the tale absolutely soars" - Pamela Klinger Horn, Valley Bookseller
Let Us Descend is a reimagining of American slavery, as beautifully rendered as it is heart-wrenching. Searching, harrowing, replete with transcendent love, the novel is a journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the slave markets of New Orleans and into the fearsome heart of a Louisiana sugar plantation.
Annis, sold south by the white enslaver who fathered her, is the reader’s guide through this hellscape. As she struggles through the miles-long march, Annis turns inward, seeking comfort from memories of her mother and stories of her African warrior grandmother. Throughout, she opens herself to a world beyond this world, one teeming with spirits: of earth and water, of myth and history; spirits who nurture and give, and those who manipulate and take. While Ward leads readers through the descent, this, her fourth novel, is ultimately a story of rebirth and reclamation.
From one of the most singularly brilliant and beloved writers of her generation, this miracle of a novel inscribes Black American grief and joy into the very land—the rich but unforgiving forests, swamps, and rivers of the American South. Let Us Descend is Jesmyn Ward’s most magnificent novel yet, a masterwork for the ages.