The American Library Association is celebrating Banned Books Week. This week is meant to celebrate the First Amendment and the intellectual freedom libraries and books represent. Libraries encourage free and fair access to all types of information resources. This includes keeping books with unpopular content and controversial material on the shelves.
Everyday, people attempt to have books removed (read: censored) from their local public and school libraries as well as from bookstores. It is the goal of librarians o hear their patrons' arguments for banning books while maintaining free and unfettered access to the library's collection.
Here are the Top Ten Banned Books from 2009:
1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: drugs, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
2. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: homosexuality
3. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: anti-family, drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group
4. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Reasons: offensive language, racism, unsuited to age group
5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
6. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
7. My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
Reasons: homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence
8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
9. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
10. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Reasons: nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
For more about challenged and banned books, visit the ALA Banned & Challenged website.
I say the best books are the ones that have been challenged or banned. These books bring up difficult topics - and these topics (sexuality, violence, racism, etc.) are the ones we should be discussing. Banning books does not "save our children" it merely limits their experience and understanding of difficult issues. These controversial books should not be feared. They should be celebrated and widely discussed.
Do you have a favorite banned book? Alternatively, why do you think a book should be banned?
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