In Coral Gables, Florida, banking professional Dalba Anton and her son, Maximus, a senior at MAST Academy, have found themselves at the heart of a growing debate. As book bans spread across the state, they’re witnessing how decisions made far from their home classrooms are beginning to shape what the next generation is allowed to read, learn, and imagine.
Dalba Anton and her son, Maximus Antrez, share a deep love of reading that shapes their daily lives in Coral Gables. Dalba, a banking professional, and Maximus, a high school senior preparing for college, spend time discussing the books they read together and independently, exploring ideas that expand their understanding of the world. Reading is not just an activity for them, it is a way to connect, question, and reflect on the stories and perspectives that surround them. Spending a day with them at their local bookstore offered only a small glimpse into how they spend their time, and how their relationship is built through laughter, curiosity, and sharing thoughts.
Books & Books in Coconut Grove has become their literary home, a space where they can discover books that might be restricted elsewhere. The family’s visits are as much about conversation and discovery as they are about choosing new stories, creating a shared experience that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of literature. At home, Dalba encourages Maximus to read in a relaxed and supportive environment, allowing him to form his own connections with the books he explores.
Through their shared reading experiences, Dalba and Maximus illustrate the importance of access to diverse stories and the conversations that follow. Their engagement with literature highlights how books can inspire independent thought, empathy, and dialogue about topics that might otherwise be overlooked. Together, they show how reading can be both a personal journey and a bridge for family connection, demonstrating how questions, laughter, and shared ideas shape their relationship.
To watch the accompanying video story, click here. To listen to the accompanying audio story, click here.To visit the accompanying website, click here.
Whether heading to school, work, or their favorite bookstore, Dalba and Maximus make time to talk about what they’re reading. Their conversations often begin at home and continue out the door—books shaping not just what they learn, but how they see the world. And they’re far from alone: 90% of parents say books create opportunities for meaningful conversations with their children (Scholastic, 2024).Books & Books in Coral Gables is their go-to neighborhood bookstore. Known for its diverse and thoughtfully curated selection, the store maintains a year-round banned-books display to spark awareness and conversation, giving Dalba and Maximus the space to discover, question, and connect with books others have tried to silence. Across the country, 76% of voters oppose book bans in public libraries, showing strong public support for access to diverse stories (ALA, 2024).Dalba encourages her son to read by keeping books around and reading at home. “While I cannot definitively ascertain whether this practice positively influences his reading habits, I am hopeful that it does,” she says. Studies show that children who grow up in homes filled with books tend to develop stronger literacy skills and a lasting love of reading (OECD, 2021). It is not pressure to read, but an invitation to want to, and it sets the tone for his relationship to books.Florida leads the nation in book bans. During the 2024–2025 school year, more than 2,300 books were banned in the state, part of over 6,800 nationwide (PEN America, 2025). Such numbers highlight the increasing scrutiny of students’ access to diverse literature.Maximus considers books a vital tool for understanding the world, especially as a young adult. On banned books, he says, “Honestly, it seems to me that a very small group of people want to see less representation of groups that they do not like, and they make it a big deal to bully people into conforming with what they want.” His view aligns with recent data showing that 65% of Americans oppose efforts to restrict books in public schools (Knight Foundation, 2024).As someone who went to high school in Miami, Dalba had access to a wide range of books. “I thoroughly enjoyed young adult books and series, and I developed a particular fondness for the horror genre, such as Stephen King’s The Shining,” she says. Today, Stephen King is the most banned author in U.S. schools, with over 200 instances of his books being removed or restricted (PEN America, 2025).Dalba states, “We were most shocked by the book ban of The Kite Runner. The book does depict a graphic sexual assault, but this horrific act happens in real life. To sweep these issues under the rug is not how society should react. We should be talking about it.” The novel was removed from school libraries in at least 10 school districts in Florida (PolitiFact FL / WUSF, 2023).Florida has ranked number one in book bans nationwide for three consecutive years, highlighting a growing trend of censorship in the state’s schools (PEN America, 2025). These developments have placed the state at the center of national conversations about access to diverse literature in education.After learning about book bans from a friend, Dalba and Maximus were surprised to see how many books had been restricted. “We have researched the reasons behind book bans and agree they are an attempt by a select few to suppress free speech and remove material they see as a threat to their beliefs or political views,” Dalba says. 92 % of American voters say they’re aware of book banning efforts, but only 3 % say they’ve taken any direct action (Knight Foundation, 2024).In the 2024–2025 school year, over 6,800 book bans in U.S. schools limited access to diverse ideas (PEN America, 2025). Maximus reflects, “Take the books and forms of media away, and you get cookie cutter kids who think the same and are indifferent to each other, making everyone an uninteresting hivemind that is reluctant to change.”Dalba hopes that Maximus will continue to explore books freely and think critically for himself. She believes that by encouraging curiosity and conversation, the next generation can challenge censorship and ensure that all stories remain accessible. In fact, 78 % of educators reported that students read more when they have freedom to choose, including access to banned books (First Book Research & Insights, 2023).
Lucas Bogardus, is a senior majoring in Digital Broadcast Journalism, he has interned with America Tevé and covered stories across South Florida, including a collaboration with Channel 10. After his studies, he hopes to work for a national news network covering political and international stories.
Joanna Camargo is a senior majoring in Digital TV and Multimedia Production. She is
passionate about producing, storytelling, and bringing stories to life across television, film, and digital platforms. Joanna is bilingual in English and Spanish and enjoys exploring the behind-the-scenes of content production.
Lola is currently pursuing a degree in Digital Media Communications with a focus on the Interactive Media track. She is passionate about storytelling, design, and technology, and is especially interested in working in the entertainment industry or with media agencies that create captivating, interactive content.
Dylan Teboe is a digital communication and media student in his junior year at Florida International University. He has channeled his lifelong passion for creative storytelling through many different outlets over the years, such as film, photography, editing, and social media. Whether it’s through a film class assignment, a social media video or a mixed media project, his goal is always to create experiences that entertain, surprise and stick with people.
