It is time again to celebrate the many controversial, confrontational, and vital books that have transformed our world… one reader at a time. Over 33 years ago, Banned Books Week was started by the American Library Association as a reaction to the great number of books being challenged in libraries, schools and bookstores. Every year the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom sponsors a “Banned Books Week” and publishes a list of the Top 10 Banned or Challenged books of the year. More than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982. In 2014 alone, there were 311 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom and those are only the ones that were reported. Of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2014, six were YA titles! These included recent blockbusters like The Hunger Games as well as classics like To Kill a Mockingbird.
Join us as we commemorate another year of defending the freedom of information, anti-censorship policies, and the freedom to read. This year, Banned Book Week focuses on Young Adult books and runs from September 27th until October 3rd. Each of our libraries will offer an opportunity to take a photo with a banned book, create your own Banned Book button and give you the chance to match the banned book with the reasons it was banned. Check out the dates and times below. Until then, bone up on your banned books by taking a look at these titles and the reasons that they were challenged or banned. Happy Reading and we hope to see you there!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Alexie, Sherman
Reasons: anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence and “depictions of bullying”.
The Catcher in the Rye by Salinger, J. D.
Reasons: Sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group.
Forever … by Blume, Judy
Reasons: Sexual content and offensive language.
The Hunger Games by Collins, Suzanne
Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, insensitivity, offensive language, occult/satanic and violence.
13 Reasons Why by Asher, Jay
Reasons: “unsuitable for the targeted age group”, containing offensive language and sexually explicit text, and “references to suicide, drugs, alcohol, and smoking.”
The Chocolate War by Cormier, Robert
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit and violence.
Whale Talk by Crutcher, Chris
Reasons: Racism and offensive language.
Lush by Friend, Natasha
Reasons: drugs, offensive language, sexually explicit and unsuited to age group.
To kill a Mockingbird by Lee, Harper
Reasons: offensive language, racism and unsuited to age group.
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Mackler
Reasons: Anti-family, offensive language, sexually explicit and unsuited to age group.
ttfn by Myracle, Lauren
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit and unsuited to age group.
Gossip Girl by Von Ziegesar, Cecily
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit and unsuited to age group.