Celebrate Your Freedom to Read 2008

For the third year in a row I'm offering the Banned Books Week Write Off scheduled September 27 through October 4. Challenges to books continue and are not restricted to any one population. In my community a local high school received a challenge this summer from a parent for the Kite Runner, which had been assigned for summer reading. Parent challenges on any book become the first steps toward banning a book and the issue in Urbana, Illinois, is the question of how any one person can prevent an entire community from exercising their right to read and have access to a high quality, controversial book.

The American Library Association has continued to recognize Banned Book Week and celebrate our rights to read books since 1982. They celebrate with the American Booksellers Association, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, American Society of Journalist and Authors, Association of American Publishers, National Association of College Stores and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Unknown to them, probably, is that for the past few years they celebrate with Epinions reviewers.

In 2008 the week will be kicked off in Chicago with a "Read-Out" that features popular banned or challenged authors. In 2007 the ten most challenged books were And Tango Makes Three, Olive's Ocean, The Golden Compass (I'm currently reading this), The Chocolate War, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Color Purple, TTYL, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, It's Perfectly Normal, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

The ALA receives reports of hundreds of books being challenged when parent and community groups request these books be removed from school library shelves. I'm continually surprised by the selections. Many reviewers from Epinions have provided stimulating entries into this write off. I don't always enjoy the books, some make me edgy and some really can upset me, yet, that's me. Art is supposed to encourage us to question, to wonder, to respond, and to think. Perhaps that's the underlying problem for those who challenge a book. It's difficult to understand the logic and the controversy.

If you want to know more about what other Epinions reviewers have had to say look at the contributions from the past two years. Many of the books are identified (with Epinions links) at the following:

2006 Banned Books W/O
2007 Banned Books W/O

ALA List 100 Most Frequently Banned Books
http://staging.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.cfm

When You Write Your Review
Read and write your review as you would normally, but include something about the challenge, the ban, or why you think that it was (it's easy to find out why with a little search). Some have commented that they didn't like the book, but like me, didn't think everyone would have the same reaction and that perhaps it would offer a perspective that might prove beneficial. Many have stated they enjoyed reading a book they might otherwise avoid. As always provide a link to this write off so others can participate either by contributing or leaving comments.

Deadline for Submission
Entries to this write-off should be submitted by September 27 but no later than October 4.

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. Although I'm in the process of trying to sell a house and then buy a house, I don't anticipate having difficulty posting your contributions.

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 and look forward to sharing your thoughts with everyone else.

2008 Contributions
Blubber by Judy Blume contributed by dramastef, thanks for the first entry!
Forever by Judy Blume, also contributed by dramastef.
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers reviewed by scmrak.
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George (my entry).
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling, contributed by Befus, thanks Beth
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling--another perspective thanks to jurgrace
Goosebumps, a thoughtful perspective from msiduri
Are You There God, It's Me Margaret, by Judy Blume from millinocket who has a great bottomline.
The Goat by Brock Cole, submitted by jankp as one of two 2008 contributions.
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers, submitted by jankp as her second 2008 contribution.
120 Banned Books: Censorship Histories Of World Literature by Nicholas J. Karolides, Margaret Bald, Dawn B. Sova submitted by sleeper -- this appears to be a book I must read.