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Banned Books Week

This week, from September 27 to October 4, 2008 is Banned Books Week, a week when the American Library Association celebrates the freedom to read.


The ALA explains:

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. This year, 2008, marks BBW’s 27th anniversary (September 27 through October 4).

BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.

The ALA also explains:

The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
  1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
    Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

  2. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
    Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

  3. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
    Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

  4. The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
    Reasons: Religious Viewpoint

  5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
    Reasons: Racism

  6. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
    Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

  7. TTYL, by Lauren Myracle
    Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

  8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
    Reasons: Sexually Explicit

  9. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
    Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

  10. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
    Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Off the list this year, are two books by author Toni Morrison. The Bluest Eye and Beloved, both challenged for sexual content and offensive language.

For more: Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read.

— michael | September 30, 2008 11:19 PM | Something to think about