Read Banned Books and Celebrate—Banned Books Write-Off 2
Sep 04 '07 (Updated Oct 18 '07)
The Bottom Line Banning books continues today with numerous books having been challenged in 2006, so what’s the controversy?
Banned Books Week September 29-October 6, 2007
Last year I coordinated a banned books write off but I announced it too close to the designated Banned Books week. Many reviewers stated they needed more time, so here is the additional time. Banned Books Week is later in 2007, September 29 – October 6, and I’m announcing earlier.
Books are wonderful forms of art. They educate, inform, inspire, encourage, and move us. They provide us with insight about other cultures, religions, and perspectives. They make us aware of the endless possibilities that exist in the world. They anger us and challenge our way of thinking. Books do not always present the world to us in a simple or agreeable package, and they often ask us to consider the what-ifs. Not everybody appreciates having the freedom to read a broad spectrum of books. In all honesty, some books anger me and I’ve been known to toss them across the room, either because they are poorly written or because I really disagree with the author’s premise. But, I love having the freedom to read and select these books. When a book stirs up that much emotion in me I’ve been known to really reflect on why. I’ve discussed the book with people from different generations. At my age it’s easy to isolate myself from the thoughts of our younger generations. They always amaze me with how they perceive the world. I have to remember their perspectives, and everyone else’s perspectives. That’s how books help. There are many incredible books, books that make us sit up and pay attention, books that help us look at the world from different perspectives, books that surprise us. We love books that leave us thinking about the world in ways we might not have considered. We read books we hate because they encourage us to question why we hated the topic. I often realize that it wasn’t the book, as much as the topic, that made me feel uncomfortable. Some books are banned or challenged for obvious reasons while some are challenged for some of the most unusual reasons.
Because you do what you do, I'm inviting you to my second Banned Books Write-Off.
As an adult I find controversial books stimulating, as a child I completely loved them. I devoured each, page by page, and currently feel that by having the opportunity to read a diverse range of books, I grew up receptive to many issues.
Unfortunately, books are banned everywhere, for a variety of reasons and often good intentions. Judy Blume says, “It's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.”
September 29 is the start of Banned Books Week. Events will be happening all over the country. A Banned Books Week Read-Out in Chicago kicks-off the week. If you’re in Chicago consider attending this event (1 to 4 p.m. at Pioneer Plaza). The authors attending this read-out include Chris Crutcher, Robie Harris, Carolyn Mackler, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Peter Parnell, Sonya Stones, Marilyn Reynolds, and Justin Richardson.
Last year I thought that a write-off would be an excellent opportunity to explore frequently banned books. The American Library Association (www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm) has a list of the 100 most frequently banned books. I’ve provided 39 books (with Epinions links). I found the list interesting, some have been covered with reviews while a few have never been reviewed. Last year contributors explored 12 books. There are many other books, and the list keeps growing.
What is This Write-Off All About?
The Banned-Books Write-Off is dedicated to banned books. For this review there are hundreds of possibilities. Review one of the books on the ALA list (I suspect there are other lists). Identify it as a banned book, and if you know why, address that logic somewhere in your review. Do you agree with the reason? If you wish to comment on that, please do so, it's not necessary, we can decide the reason for ourselves. Read one that has been banned and review it honestly.
You might find one of your favorite books on this list and wonder why. I honestly never understood what there was about “Witches” or “Of Mice and Men” or “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” that warranted banning. Have fun and find yourself something interesting to read.
Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men, Harry Potter, or Huckleberry Finn, what's your favorite book? Someone has probably tried to ban it. Celebrate your freedom to read (and review) during Banned Books Week, September 29 to October 6, 2007.
The following list contains some of the 100 most frequently banned books; the remainder of the list can be viewed at the American Library Association’s link provided at the end of this list. Books have been added that were reviewed last year or have recently appeared on the 2006 most frequently banned/challenged list.
A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis
Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Cujo by Stephen King
Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
The Goats by Brock Cole
Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine (very few reviews on any in the series)
The Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
Slaughterhouse-Five: Of the Children’s Crusade A Duty-Dance with Death by Kurt Vonnegut
The Terrorist by Caroline B. Cooney The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard (None have been reviewed)
The Witches by Roald Dahl
The list of 100 banned books: www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm
Deadline for Submission
Entries to this write-off should be submitted by September 29, but can continue until October 6. I plan to submit my review by September 29, the first day of Banned Books Week. After September 29, my posting them to this will be spotty, I’ll be traveling.
How do I Post my Entry?
When your entry is complete and you are ready to share it, return to this invitation and post a link in my comment section or email me your link (pestyside@gmail.com). I’ll post your review links at the bottom of this invitation. If you could include a link to this invitation at the bottom of your review it might encourage others to contribute.
Final Thoughts
Libraries were one of the first institutions that opened their doors to all. People of all ethnicities were given free access to libraries and books. Through the ALA’s efforts, libraries actively defend constitutional rights of all individuals. They respect the individual’s rights and recognize that their collections can contribute to a future “that values freedom of speech in a world that celebrates both our similarities and our differences.” Either for the fun of it, or for the awareness and celebration of individual rights, start reading and writing!! I look forward to reading your contributions.
Patsy
Participants in Banned Books Week 1--thank you each for your wonderful contributions!! Banned Books Week 2 has begun.
Contributions
Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories written by Chris Crutcher and Bryce Lee and
The Goats by Brock Cole, both books submitted by cmaw63
Native Son written by Richard A. Wright and submitted by Stephen Murray
What Johnny Shouldn't Read: Textbook Censorship in America Books written by Joan Delfattore and submitted by sleeper54
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler and The BFG by Roald Dahl both submitted by pestyside
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher and submitted by scmrak
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret written by Judy Blume and contributed by dramastef
Two Versions of the late Madeleine L'Engle's popular book,
A Wrinkle in Time submitted by befus
and
A Wrinkle in Time submitted by artemis8
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley submitted by Bruguru
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes submitted by frazzledspice
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood submitted by millinocket
--Thank you.
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