Read some “banned books”
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- August
- 20
Each year booksellers, librarians and First Amendment advocates designate the last week of September-first week of October to celebrate the freedom to read materials without restriction—such as books like “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger and “Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison. Instances of removing books from school reading lists and library shelves, though, are often cited hence the importance of the week. They are suggesting people peruse the list and read  or re-read  some of the titles. You’ve got till the end of September!
This year’s Banned Books Week is the 26th anniversary and the
American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has again done its fabulous job of collecting materials and making suggestions for events. Watch for local displays in libraries and bookstores.
The ALA folks have pulled a great quote which I think succinctly sums up the sentiment of why Banned Books Week is important. They are from Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas from “The One Un-American Act,� Nieman Reports, vol. 7, no 1, Jan. 1953, page 20:
“Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.�
Here’s the top ten from ALA’s list of 100 of the most banned books :
1. “Scary Stories” (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. “Daddy’s Roommate” by Michael Willhoite
3. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou
4. “The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier
5. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain
6. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. “Forever” by Judy Blume
9. “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
But, also on the list are:
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker
“Sex” by Madonna
“A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle
“The New Joy of Gay Sex” by Charles Silverstein
“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood
And, one of the most shocking inclusions, in my view, is “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
What are your thoughts about when and where books should be restricted  and which ones?
This entry was posted
on Monday, August 20th, 2007 at 11:14 am by Barbara Nackman.
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NO BOOK should be banned.
speaking of Catcher in the Rye. I had 8 years of Catholic grade school and that was a banned book. it didnt stop me from going to public library and reading it.
I also have had both my boys read it before entering 6th grade.
I cannot believe no one has anything to say … regarding banning of books..
sigh
Yes Steve, it is amazing that people don’t have more to say about this. This is exactly why there is this annual call for attention. To stir the waters and get people thinking. It seems at the heart of our American freedoms.
I am always amazed each year when I look at this list. I mean, really, “Of Mice and Men!” This was required reading when I went to school, but in some places it is forbidden.
I do realize that not all books are for all readers and recommended ages should be taken into consideration. But banning or challenging a book just makes it even more fun to read. Which titles really amazed you?
The same ones. I was in grade school in the early 70s parochial and the books I read in the public library were all banned in the catholic school.
If they can teach my 2 mommies and daddy’s roommate. then I say no book should be banned. There’s just an age you may want the child to sit back and wait for , depending on the book.
catcher in the Rye is definitely a pre-teen book. thats why when my boys turned 11 I had them read it.
WHOA! I just noticed a wrinkle intime is on the banned list???
what?
I am surprise to find out that books can be banned. I just came out from my History class and one of my special assignment is to get or write a summary about one of Galileo’s book.
Anyway,what surprises me is that books are suppose to inform others of ones belief, why do they ban books? WE have different point of views, and it is our own decision to choose what and what not to read.