Banned Books Week is the only national celebration of the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than a thousand books have been challenged since 1982. The challenges have occurred in every state and in hundreds of communities. People challenge books that they say are too sexual or too violent. They object to profanity and slang, and protest against offensive portrayals of racial or religious groups–or positive portrayals of homosexuals. Their targets range from books that explore the latest problems to classic and beloved works of American literature.
According to the American Library Association, more than 400 books were challenged in 2007. The 10 most challenged titles were…click here for the list.
From the Annoyed Librarian:
“Banned” Books Week, or BBW, is upon us once again. Since the ALA has nothing new to say on the matter, I don’t either. So read the old stuff; it’s still better than the nonsense emanating from the ALA. Take a look at the books shown in the first link. Yeah, it’s hard for people to get hold of a Harry Potter book, and I’m pretty sure Catcher in the Rye isn’t available , either. And forget Huckleberry Finn. You can’t find that darn thing anywhere, because it’s been “banned.” They’ve all been “banned”! Banned books, indeed. Enter the alternative universe of the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom, where we are always on the verge of totalitarianism because some rube in Bumflap, GA doesn’t like gay penguins. Be sure to check your intellect at the door, though. Otherwise it’s hard to take this stuff.
See related story by Lynn Neary on NPR!
Sept. 29 marks the beginning of the American Library Association’s annual “Banned Books Week,” a commemoration of all the books that have ever been removed from library shelves and classrooms. Politics, religion, sex, witchcraft — people give a lot of reasons for wanting to ban books, says Judith Krug of the ALA, but most often the bannings are about fear.
“They’re not afraid of the book; they’re afraid of the ideas,” says Krug. “The materials that are challenged and banned say something about the human condition.”
