Banned Books Week 2011

With this week more than half way over, you may think it's too late to do anything for Banned Books Week. It's never too late. Pick up a book or watch a movie based on a banned book.

Earlier this week, I was in Chicago for a couple of days and discovered at the bookstore that the Harold Washington Library Center of Chicago was hosting an event called, "Books on the Chopping Block" which entailed the City Lit Theater Company reading the top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2010. What was so amazing about these ten titles is that they are all young adult and children's books. Imagine that! Why there is so much fear about allowing teens and kids to view the world as it really is through fiction is beyond me? But alas, there is fear that these books will instill the wrong ideas in to children's heads. That is a sad premise to hold onto. The one good thing about a book being challenged and/or banned is that just makes that particular book all the more appealing. I am sure the censors never see it that way.

I have many favorite books that have made it to the banned and/or challenged list. My top two favorites are by Judy Blume, "Forever" and "Are you there, God? It's me, Margaret." I cannot imagine having grown-up without having Judy Blume books in my life. Did anyone try to stop me from reading either of these books? Actually, my mother made me put "Forever" back on the shelf deeming it not appropriate reading material ever. Well that made me even more determined to read the book, so I decided to see if the library would tell me I could not check out that book as well. The very next day after school, I found the book right where I had reluctantly put it back and checked it out without a problem. I was thrilled that to discover that the library wouldn't be trying to censor what I read.

I'd love to hear what your favorite banned and/or challenged book that you have read or even a movie or play based on one.

Banned Books Week

Can you imagine not being able to decide what books you can read or not read? If you don't believe me, just click on this Google Map which documents books bans and challenges around the United States from 2007-2010. Think it couldn't be possible in a liberal state such as California? Think again!

In 2009, Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" was restricted to students with parental permission at the Ocean View School District middle school libraries in Huntington Beach, Calif. because the “book’s contents were inappropriate for children.” There are other incidents of book bans or challenges in California as well.

So how can you participate? Celebrate by picking up a banned or challenged book this week. If you're not so inclined to pick up a book, watch a movie based on a banned or challenged book. Not sure what titles have been banned, ALA (American Library Association) publishes a list every year. Even classics have been banned or challenged.

Check out the 11 Most Surprising Banned Books. Even more surprising was finding out that the popular Junie B. Jones series would be in danger of being challenged or banned in my search for more information on challenged materials. Check out the commentary in Business & Heritage Clarksville about why this popular beginning readers series would cause such ruckus. Through the month of September and until October 2nd, they are running a commentary on a different book almost every day. Some of the titles included are: "The Face on the Milk Carton", "Rainbow Boys", "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Lovely Bones". Kids books include "In the Night Kitchen", "My Brother Sam is Dead", "Summer of my German Soldier" and "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry".

Banned Books Week runs from September 25-October 2 which celebrates the freedom to read. This event is not just sponsored by ALA but by bookseller associations, journalists, authors, and publishers. "Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States." (ALA, 2008). For those of you who wonder why books would be banned or challenged, read what ALA has to say.

I love this year's theme: "Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same". Currently, I'm taking a Children's Literature class so I re-read "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" by Judy Blume. It's hard to believe a classic such as this would be challenged. This book made growing up just a little easier. And it endeared me all over again when I saw now why it was why it was one of my daughter's favorite books as well. It touched both of us for different reasons. It's hard to believe this book made the list for the 100 most frequently challenged books in 2000-2009 and 1990-1999. And it's even harder for me to imagine not being able to read this book. According to ALA, "Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." Please join me this week in celebrating the right to read by picking up a banned or challenged book you've never read or an old favorite.