Emily Udell writes: “Ava Kirtley was a high school junior when she first learned about attempts to ban books at her school library in Walla Walla, Washington. “One of the most infuriating things was that [the book ban supporters] were claiming they were speaking for us,” says the now 18-year-old. Feeling exhilarated from speaking out at [a] board meeting alongside her peers, Kirtley was determined to address the issue further. She began planning a club for students focusing on banned books.”