The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression has expressed strong support for the University of Minnesota Press, which is under attack for its decision to publish "Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex." Author Judith Levine argues in "Harmful to Minors" that Americans are reluctant to confront the fact that children have an interest in sex. As a result, teenagers are deprived of meaningful sex education, including information about how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases.

The most controversial part of Levine's book is her contention that under the right circumstances a sexual relationship between a minor and an adult can be healthy. This has been picked up by Concerned Women for America and other conservative groups who claim that Levine is endorsing pedophilia, and who are calling on the University of Minnesota Press to cancel publication of the book, which is scheduled for next month. Levine insists that her critics are distorting her words.

In a message that was sent today to University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof, ABFFE President Chris Finan said that cancelling publication of the book would be an act of censorship. "Although some may abhor the ideas expressed in "Harmful to Minors," it is essential to protect the right to debate them," he wrote.

ABFFE closed its first author auction yesterday, but its fundraising activities in connection with the upcoming BookExpo America are continuing. ABFFE is now selling tickets for May 3 game between the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners at Yankees Stadium. ABFFE has a limited number of reserved seats for this game between two American League powerhouses who are likely to meet in the playoffs. The game will probably be a sellout. Tickets can be purchased for $25 in the ABFFE store, or by calling ABFFE, (212) 587-4025.

Harvard Prof. Alan Dershowitz, "Harper's Magazine" Publisher James A. MacArthur and actress Yolanda King will join Barbara Kingsolver, Michael Moore and Nat Hentoff in assessing the state of free speech in the United States eight months after Sept. 11 during an ABFFE program at BookExpo America.

Dershowitz has been characteristically provocative in the days since the terrorist attack, creating a furor by suggesting that the torture of terrorism suspects might be legitimate in some circumstances. MacArthur is the author of a book about news censorship during the Gulf war. King, an actress, is the author of a forthcoming memoir from Rodale Press. The daughter of Martin Luther King, she will speak as someone who both values free expression and knows what it is to be the target of terrorist threats.

The moderator will be Joan Bertin, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship.

"'911': Civil Liberties in a Time of Crisis," will be held on Friday, May 3, at 11 a.m. in Room 1E12 of the Javits Convention Center. It is co-sponsored by ABFFE, the Association of American Publishers and the Freedom to Read Foundation.

Tickets for the Rock Bottom Remainders concert at BookExpo are selling fast. Band members Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Roy Blount Jr., Kathi Goldmark, Greg Iles, Stephen King, James McBride, Ridley Pearson, Amy Tan and Scott Turow will rock historic Webster Hall in Greenwich Village on Saturday, May 4, from 9 to 11 p.m. Standing room only crowds danced to the music of the Remainders at the American Booksellers Conventions in Los Angeles, Miami, and Anaheim back in the 90's. It looks like this year's concert will be another sellout, so order your tickets today. Tickets are $25 per person; $45 for two; $100 for five. To order online, use the ABFFE Store. For further information, contact Tim Eubanks, tim@abffe.com, (212) 587-4025.