The Banned Wagon will roll into Lakewood Public Library, 15425 Detroit Ave. next Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. as part of an effort to address continued nationwide efforts to ban books.

Spearheaded by publisher Penguin Random House, the tour is designed to promote awareness around book challenges and censorship during Banned Books Week by giving out free banned books.

“We’re excited to hit the road again with the Banned Wagon and team up with Unite Against Book Bans (UABB), Little Free Library, First Book, and our bookstore and library partners to reach some of the communities most impacted by this critical issue and get more books into the hands of readers of all ages,” Alyssa Taylor, director of brand marketing for Penguin Random House, said in a statement.

The Banned Wagon’s route includes independent bookstores and libraries in response to the increase in books targeted for censorship in 2023According to the American Library Association (ALA), books in public schools and libraries faced a 65% increase in censorship challenges in 2023— the highest level on record.

In response, the Banned Wagon’s second tour, running from last Sunday, Sept. 22 to Tuesday, Oct. 15, will make stops at nine libraries and bookstores in cities across the Midwest and South, including Cleveland.

The Banned Wagon tour chose stops in communities where book bans and challenges have particularly increased, according to officials with Penguin Random House.

At the Lakewood stop, visitors will have the opportunity to receive free copies of 20 of the most frequently challenged books, including Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “The Bluest Eye” by Northeast Ohio native Toni Morrison.

Available books at Lakewood Public Library will include adult literature, young adult (YA) titles, and picture books.

Attendees will also have access to resources from UABB, which offers additional ways to support the freedom to read.

In addition to the book giveaways, the Banned Wagon is expanding its reach through a partnership with First Book. Event attendees can scan a QR code to help donate a book to a community in need. This effort, along with donations to more than 50 Little Free Libraries along the tour route, is expected to distribute more than 20,000 books to communities across the country.

Taylor emphasizes the importance of the initiative by noting, “Books help us understand ourselves and the world around us. We all deserve the opportunity to read, think, and learn freely.”

Penguin Random House provides details of the Banned Wagon tour and a full list of available titles on its website.