Banned Books Week


Hunt for Banned Books
with the Youth Art Team!

We celebrated Banned Books Week with the Waterloo Public Library in 2020. Seven pairs of Youth Art Team artists and adult mentors teamed up over the summer to read seven different popular youth or teen titles that have made appearances on banned book lists. We had frank conversations together about the books, censorship, and the effects that limiting or denying access to books can have. Then each artist created a new book cover for the book they read.

NOW… the 2020 contest is over. The artwork is no longer hiding around downtown. But you can still play this game with us. ALL AGES – young and old – are invited to play.

Click on an image below to see each poster and read a book description from the artist. Think you know the title? Complete this form and we’ll tell you how you did!

Violet inviting you to look at her banned book poster.
Lillian inviting you to look at her banned book poster.
Portrait of Ian inviting you to click and look at his banned book poster.
Aerz inviting you to look at her banned book poster.
Niara inviting you to look at her banned book poster.
Corin inviting you to look at his banned book poster.
Janea inviting you to look at her banned book poster.

Check out the WPL Book Drop podcast… because we were interviewed! And we revealed awesome clues. The library published one episode each day of Banned Books Week.

Thanks for playing with us!

#goyouthartteam #loveispower

Support provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, McElroy Trust, and Max & Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation.


Youth Art Team turns 10 years old this year! (2020)

The artists have been working to transform our community that entire time. And we work hard to provide these opportunities at no cost to them.

You can help us keep it that way with a 10-Year Birthday gift! We make it easy. You have lots of options. Click the button to find the method that works best for you.

Happy birthday to you!