Banned Books Week

Regardless of the content, books should not be banned from libraries. It is amazing in this day and age that groups of people will harrass libraries, city council meetings, and county boards to convince them that a certain book is horrid and unfit for anyone to read. Hey, let ME make that decision for myself. I did make these decisions for years for my own children as well. If I had concerns about a book, even an assigned book from school, I read it, and then made the decision to allow or disallow my kids from reading it. More often than not, I encouraged them to read it, and then we discussed it. Now that they are grown, they too are making this decision. BUT IT IS OURS TO MAKE, not a group of folk using their religious or moral beliefs to push their belief onto me.

Here are the "10 Most Challenged Books of 2006," as listed by the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom.

1. "And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
2. "Gossip Girls" series by Cecily Von Ziegesar
3. "Alice" series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
4. "The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things" by Carolyn Mackler
5. "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
6. "Scary Stories" series by Alvin Schwartz
7. "Athletic Shorts" by Chris Crutcher
8. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
9. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison
10. "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

Challenge yourself. Instead of bowing to others, try reading ONE of them sometime this year. I suggest Beloved, by Toni Morrison (#9 on this list). Then decide for yourself if it such a horrible book. Now, these books are not without controversy. I am aware of that. Controversy sparks conversation, and in other days, Shakespeare was controversial.

Here are the "Most Challenged Books of the 21st Century (2000-2005)," also from the American Library Association. Note that some books are on both lists. Makes me more interested in reading them...

1. "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
2. "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
3. "Alice" series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
4. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
5. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
6. "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers
7. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris
8. "Scary Stories" series by Alvin Schwartz
9. "Captain Underpants" series by Dav Pilkey
10. "Forever" by Judy Blume

Notice in particular one title, "Of Mice and Men". Why is Steinbeck repeatedly on the list? I read it years ago. I don't feel that there is anything in the book to warrant this. "Harry Potter"? Geez... it is FANTASY. It encourages children to read. And the books are great reading!

Happy Banned Books Week! Read on!!!