Banned Books Week is Sept. 29-Oct. 6
Posted by Jacque on September 28th, 2007
Banned Books Week starts tomorrow. The American Library Association annually invites people to celebrate their freedom to read by calling attention to the many great books that have been banned at some time in the past — or currently.
“This annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.”
For instance, for 2006, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell’s award-winning “And Tango Makes Three,” about two male penguins parenting an egg from a mixed-sex penguin couple, tops the list of most challenged books in 2006 by parents and administrators, due to the issues of homosexuality. Several books by Toni Morrison made the “top ten” also, while frequently listed “Catcher in the Rye” and “Of Mice and Men” were not on the 2006 list.
See the top 10 list below and ALA’s many links for more information. Pick a banned book and enjoy your freedom to read during Banned Books Week and all others, as well.
The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2006″:
- “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, for homosexuality, anti-family, and unsuited to age group;
- “Alice” series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for sexual content and offensive language;
- “Athletic Shorts,” by Chris Crutcher for homosexuality and offensive language;
- “Beloved,” by Toni Morrison for offensive language, sexual content, and unsuited to age group;
- “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison for sexual content, offensive language, and unsuited to age group;
- “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier for sexual content, offensive language, and violence;
- “The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things,” by Carolyn Mackler for sexual content, anti-family, offensive language, and unsuited to age group;
- “Gossip Girls,” series by Cecily Von Ziegesar for homosexuality, sexual content, drugs, unsuited to age group, and offensive language;
- “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky for homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language, and unsuited to age group; and
- “Scary Stories” series, by Alvin Schwartz for occult/Satanism, unsuited to age group, violence, and insensitivity.
