KA Cartlidge

News from the worlds of writing, publishing, and related technology.

Penguin Random House sends Congress a letter opposing H.R. 7661

Penguin Random House sent Congress a letter dated April 13, 2026 urging a no vote on H.R. 7661. Their take: the bill swaps teacher judgment for narrow "approved" reading lists tied to a handful of sources, and could knock out books people actually teach - even some widely accepted classics - while pretending to protect kids.

They also warn that hooking big federal funding to book restrictions squeezes whole districts - libraries, after-school partners, the works - not just one classroom, which practically invites quiet self-censorship whenever money gets tight.

(Shortened and summarised to avoid devaluing the source)
Penguin Random House - News