We belong on the page
Rhode Island Teens Fight Censorship and Erasure
Thousands of books have been removed from American libraries and schools or threatened with censorship over the last few years.. The majority of these books feature LGBTQ+ or BIPOC characters, or address issues of inequality or discrimination based on marginalized identities including race, religion, disability, sexuality, national origin, or gender. Sweeping book bans in 30 states have impacted the sales of these diverse books to the point where some may go out of print. We want to fight back against this erasure by celebrating these books and their on-the-page representation.
Write Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Center for the Book, and We Are ALL Readers invite Rhode Island students in grades 7 - 12 to submit work to this traveling exhibit.
To enter:
- Redesign the cover of a banned or challenged book
- Write a 2-4 sentence blurb for the gallery label for your cover design
- Upload your work on our submissions portal
Everyone who enters will have a chance to win one of two gift baskets containing over $100 of drawing & writing supplies. (Including a Moleskine journal, Posca paint markers, sketchbook, drawing pencils, Micron pens, and a Prismacolor mixed media art set)
Exhibit Opening Reception
Opening reception on April 6, 2024, at the We Are ALL Readers book festival at North Kingstown High School.
Directions
Book selection: Choose a book that means something to you personally, or that you believe is important to the world at large. We encourage you to choose a recently published book, or one that has been banned in the last two years. You can browse the list of 1,400 banned books created by Pen America. In addition to that list, any book that includes LGBTQ+ characters or content is banned from schools in Florida, and most books that grapple with racism or real U.S. history are banned there as well. The book you choose does not need to be from the Pen America list. They can be for any age - picture book through YA through adult literature.
Cover redesign: Covers may be drawn, painted or created in mixed media by hand and then scanned, or may be created digitally in a graphic design or art program. All covers must be your own work. Please only use photos you have taken yourself to avoid copyright infringement. No AI generated images will be accepted.
Gallery label writing: Write 2-4 sentences that make an emotional connection with the viewer. Your label should address:
Submission: Upload your image and label text on our Submittable portal. Art should be submitted as a pdf with a final size of 8.5x11 at 350 dpi. If you do not have access to a scanner, we will accept high-resolution jpg photos as well.
Content guidelines: We Belong on the Page is an all-ages exhibit, designed to highlight the importance of books with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation.. Your cover redesign should focus on issues of identity and representation, or other aspects of the book that make it important to you, while avoiding graphic violence, nudity, and language that would be inappropriate for young children.
Submissions
Submission are due by March 1 at 5:00pm. Click the link below to submit your entry via our submittable form:
Opening reception on April 6, 2024, at the We Are ALL Readers book festival at North Kingstown High School.
Directions
Book selection: Choose a book that means something to you personally, or that you believe is important to the world at large. We encourage you to choose a recently published book, or one that has been banned in the last two years. You can browse the list of 1,400 banned books created by Pen America. In addition to that list, any book that includes LGBTQ+ characters or content is banned from schools in Florida, and most books that grapple with racism or real U.S. history are banned there as well. The book you choose does not need to be from the Pen America list. They can be for any age - picture book through YA through adult literature.
Cover redesign: Covers may be drawn, painted or created in mixed media by hand and then scanned, or may be created digitally in a graphic design or art program. All covers must be your own work. Please only use photos you have taken yourself to avoid copyright infringement. No AI generated images will be accepted.
Gallery label writing: Write 2-4 sentences that make an emotional connection with the viewer. Your label should address:
- why you chose this book
- what it means to you personally or to the world
- why this story or these characters belong on the page
- why this book belongs in school or public libraries
Submission: Upload your image and label text on our Submittable portal. Art should be submitted as a pdf with a final size of 8.5x11 at 350 dpi. If you do not have access to a scanner, we will accept high-resolution jpg photos as well.
Content guidelines: We Belong on the Page is an all-ages exhibit, designed to highlight the importance of books with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation.. Your cover redesign should focus on issues of identity and representation, or other aspects of the book that make it important to you, while avoiding graphic violence, nudity, and language that would be inappropriate for young children.
Submissions
Submission are due by March 1 at 5:00pm. Click the link below to submit your entry via our submittable form:
click image for a printable pdf
FAQ
How do I create a book cover?
There are several ways to create a cover:
Analog art. Draw/paint/print/collage/use mixed media on paper. Then, either hand letter the title or scan your image & use an app to place text on top of it.
Don’t have access to a scanner? Take a high-resolution photo of your art in bright, indirect light. Crop the image and adjust the lighting and contrast using your phone’s photo editing functions. Submit as a high resolution (largest files size) jpg.
Digital art. Create an image and/or manipulate text and photos in Photoshop, InDesign, Procreate, Canva (a free, online design site), or any other design app. Avoid using designs or templates created by someone else - all submissions must be your own work!
You are invited to attend our free cover design workshop (details TBA).
How do I get my cover into the right file format?
If you are using photoshop or other design software, you will need to set up your file as an 8.5 x 11 image at 350 dpi. When you are done designing, export your file as a pdf.
If you have drawn your image by hand, you will need to scan it at 350 dpi into a pdf file format.
If you do not have access to a scanner, you can take a photo of your art in bright indirect light. Avoid casting a shadow on the artwork. Crop the image and adjust the lighting and contrast using your phone’s photo editing functions. Submit as a high resolution (largest files size) jpg.
I want to write about a book, but not create a cover. Can I do that?
You are welcome to collaborate with another Rhode Island student in 7-12th grade. When you are ready to submit your cover and label text, include the names of both collaborators in your submission.
Why are there design guidelines excluding nudity and violence in an exhibit about banned books?
The purpose of this exhibit is to raise awareness about the issue of books being banned because of the identities represented in their pages. We want to spark dialogue about these issues with viewers. We want to avoid visual depictions of graphic violence or nudity so that the conversation about the books can be focused on the issues of inequality and injustice. The book covers will hang in public libraries with an all ages audience, and we want them to spark discussion between parents and children, not be something that families steer away from.
I want to show people kissing on my cover. Can I do that?
Yes, a kiss is rated G. Gender does not matter to that answer. That said, covers rarely show people actually kissing, because it gives away the ending. Even if the book is a romance where you know that the two characters will eventually get together, the reader wants some tension and surprise.
My favorite scene in this book is violent and I really want to depict it on the cover. What can I do?
A book cover is supposed to entice the prospective reader and draw them in, not give away any of the plot. Look at YA covers that use the color red, blood, swords, or other sharp pointy things to give the prospective reader a clue about the story that lies within the pages. They don’t illustrate the exact moment in time in which someone gets stabbed with a sword, but they give a teaser to what the story might be about.
Some examples of great covers to inspire you:
We encourage you to go to your local library and browse covers to find ones that appeal to you. Check out the picture books and middle grade graphic novels! Many books for young readers that feature BIPOC or LGBTQ characters, including the ones in the gallery below, have been banned or challenged. If you aren't sure where to look, ask your librarian for help!
How do I create a book cover?
There are several ways to create a cover:
Analog art. Draw/paint/print/collage/use mixed media on paper. Then, either hand letter the title or scan your image & use an app to place text on top of it.
Don’t have access to a scanner? Take a high-resolution photo of your art in bright, indirect light. Crop the image and adjust the lighting and contrast using your phone’s photo editing functions. Submit as a high resolution (largest files size) jpg.
Digital art. Create an image and/or manipulate text and photos in Photoshop, InDesign, Procreate, Canva (a free, online design site), or any other design app. Avoid using designs or templates created by someone else - all submissions must be your own work!
You are invited to attend our free cover design workshop (details TBA).
How do I get my cover into the right file format?
If you are using photoshop or other design software, you will need to set up your file as an 8.5 x 11 image at 350 dpi. When you are done designing, export your file as a pdf.
If you have drawn your image by hand, you will need to scan it at 350 dpi into a pdf file format.
If you do not have access to a scanner, you can take a photo of your art in bright indirect light. Avoid casting a shadow on the artwork. Crop the image and adjust the lighting and contrast using your phone’s photo editing functions. Submit as a high resolution (largest files size) jpg.
I want to write about a book, but not create a cover. Can I do that?
You are welcome to collaborate with another Rhode Island student in 7-12th grade. When you are ready to submit your cover and label text, include the names of both collaborators in your submission.
Why are there design guidelines excluding nudity and violence in an exhibit about banned books?
The purpose of this exhibit is to raise awareness about the issue of books being banned because of the identities represented in their pages. We want to spark dialogue about these issues with viewers. We want to avoid visual depictions of graphic violence or nudity so that the conversation about the books can be focused on the issues of inequality and injustice. The book covers will hang in public libraries with an all ages audience, and we want them to spark discussion between parents and children, not be something that families steer away from.
I want to show people kissing on my cover. Can I do that?
Yes, a kiss is rated G. Gender does not matter to that answer. That said, covers rarely show people actually kissing, because it gives away the ending. Even if the book is a romance where you know that the two characters will eventually get together, the reader wants some tension and surprise.
My favorite scene in this book is violent and I really want to depict it on the cover. What can I do?
A book cover is supposed to entice the prospective reader and draw them in, not give away any of the plot. Look at YA covers that use the color red, blood, swords, or other sharp pointy things to give the prospective reader a clue about the story that lies within the pages. They don’t illustrate the exact moment in time in which someone gets stabbed with a sword, but they give a teaser to what the story might be about.
Some examples of great covers to inspire you:
We encourage you to go to your local library and browse covers to find ones that appeal to you. Check out the picture books and middle grade graphic novels! Many books for young readers that feature BIPOC or LGBTQ characters, including the ones in the gallery below, have been banned or challenged. If you aren't sure where to look, ask your librarian for help!
Everyone who submits has the chance to win a prize!
Sponsored by
Join Us April 6, 2024!
We look forward to celebrating our love of diverse books with you.
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