Laurie Halse Anderson donates $100,000 to PEN America’s fight against book bans

The 2023 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award laureate, American writer Laurie Halse Anderson, is donating $100,000 of her prize money to Pen America’s fight against book bans. “Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance”, says Laurie Halse Anderson in her statement.

Laurie Halse Anderson is one of America’s foremost writers for young adults. In her richly expressive novels she gives voice to the adolescent experience with sometimes brutal honesty. Many of Laurie Halse Anderson’s books are frequently found on lists of banned books: books that, in some states or districts in the United States, are not allowed to be read in schools or bought by public libraries because of their subject matter or plot. Earlier this year, Anderson received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the world’s largest award for children’s and YA literature. The prestigious award comes with a cash prize of SEK 5 million ($452,000).

"Public libraries and schools have a duty to offer a broad range of books to the communities that they serve. People who find a book that they don't like don't have to read it. They do not have the right to dictate what books other people, or other people's children, can read. I am proud to support PEN America and their fight against book banners and others bent on destroying our freedom to read. Remember: censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance”, says Laurie Halse Anderson.

"Currently, nonprofit organizations like PEN are encountering headwinds as freedom of speech faces greater pressure than it has in a long time. The generous support provided by the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award laureate Laurie Halse Anderson to our sister organization, PEN America, will have a significant impact on their work," says Kerstin Almegård, President of PEN Sweden.

“Children’s and young adult's access to literature is a precondition for democracy and openness. Literature opens the door to new worlds and has the ability to increase understanding and exchange between cultures and people. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, with a prize of five million Swedish kronor, is a signal to the world that Sweden takes children’s right to great stories very seriously. Laurie Halse Anderson and PEN are strong voices in the fight for artistic freedom”, says Kajsa Ravin, Director General of the Swedish Arts Council.

About the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was created in 2002 by the Swedish government to promote every child’s right to great stories. This global award is given annually to a person or organisation for their outstanding contribution to children’s and young adult literature. With a prize of five million Swedish kronor, it is the largest award of its kind.

About PEN America

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. Their mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. PEN America works to ensure that people everywhere have the freedom to create literature, to convey information and ideas, to express their views, and to access the views, ideas and literatures of others.