Recently, students in the Westridge Advanced Course Banned Books & Censorship: A Study of the Challenges to Intellectual Freedom had the opportunity to speak with an author of a book from their course syllabus: Malinda Lo, author of The Last Night at the Telegraph Club. After a presentation on book banning (about which Lo also met with faculty and staff), the students held a wide-ranging discussion with Lo about her book, her writing process, and current events surrounding banned books and censorship. Asked what she feels is the most harmful aspect of book banning, which has risen sharply since 2020, Lo said “that it goes against 1st Amendment rights and is unconstitutional.”

“It is harmful to all Americans who value the right to speak and read freely,” she added.