Banned Books Week 9.22.13 - 9.28.13
"The American Library Association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them." (ALA)
To this day, people across the country attempt to ban access to various books. Sex, profanity and racism remain the primary categories of objections occurring most in schools and school libraries; frequently, challenges are motivated by the desire to protect children. Even if their actions are well intended, censoring materials denies the freedom of others to choose what they read, see or hear. Certainly, individuals may restrict what they or their children read, but they must not be able to prevent other from reading what they like.
Below are a few selections from a list of books challenged, restricted, removed or banned in 2012 and 2013:
Feed / M.T. Anderson
Challenged at the William Monroe High School in Greene County, Virginia, because the book is "trash" and "covered with the f-word."
This book has won numerous awards and is also a National Book Award Finalist and a Junior Library Guild selection.
Ender's Game / Orson Scott Card
A teacher in Schofield Middle School in Aiken, South Carolina will not face criminal charges (?!) for reading to his students from this science-fiction book. Apparently, the reading was characterized by one student and one parent as pornographic.
This novel has won several science-fiction awards and is listed on numerous children's literature review websites as appropriate for readers twelve and older.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower / Stephen Chbosky
Challenged as an assigned reading at the Grandview Heights, Ohio High School because the book dealt with drugs, alcohol, sex, homosexuality and abuse.
As a nod to the book's popularity, Perks was adapted into a film. This book consistently lands on top teen book lists.
Carter Finally Gets It / Brent Crawford
Challenged, but retained in the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma middle school libraries despite a parent's complaint that it is "vulgar, vulgar, vulgar."
The Young Adult Library Services Association recognized this book as one of 2010's Amazing Audiobooks.
Looking for Alaska / John Green
Banned as required reading for Sumner County, Tennessee. schools because of "inappropriate language."
The book won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature.
Fallen Angels / Walter Dean Myers
Challenged on the Danbury Middle School reading list in Toledo, Ohio due to inappropriate language.
In 1988, this book won the Coretta Scott King Award which recognizes outstanding African-American authors and illustrators and is awarded for books about the African-American experience that are written for a youth audience.
The Body of Christopher Creed / Carol Plum-Ucci
Challenged, but retained in the Appleton, Wisconson School District despite the book's reference to suicide and sex.
In 2001, this book was awarded the Michael L. Printz Honor Award for excellence in young adult literature.
Stuck in Neutral / Terry Trueman
Challenged at the Creekwood Middle School in Humble, Texas because the book was an "inappropriate reading assignment."
In 2001, this book was awarded the Michael L. Printz Honor Award for excellence in young adult literature.
"The American Library Association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them." (ALA)
To this day, people across the country attempt to ban access to various books. Sex, profanity and racism remain the primary categories of objections occurring most in schools and school libraries; frequently, challenges are motivated by the desire to protect children. Even if their actions are well intended, censoring materials denies the freedom of others to choose what they read, see or hear. Certainly, individuals may restrict what they or their children read, but they must not be able to prevent other from reading what they like.
Below are a few selections from a list of books challenged, restricted, removed or banned in 2012 and 2013:
Feed / M.T. Anderson
Challenged at the William Monroe High School in Greene County, Virginia, because the book is "trash" and "covered with the f-word."
This book has won numerous awards and is also a National Book Award Finalist and a Junior Library Guild selection.
Ender's Game / Orson Scott Card
A teacher in Schofield Middle School in Aiken, South Carolina will not face criminal charges (?!) for reading to his students from this science-fiction book. Apparently, the reading was characterized by one student and one parent as pornographic.
This novel has won several science-fiction awards and is listed on numerous children's literature review websites as appropriate for readers twelve and older.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower / Stephen Chbosky
Challenged as an assigned reading at the Grandview Heights, Ohio High School because the book dealt with drugs, alcohol, sex, homosexuality and abuse.
As a nod to the book's popularity, Perks was adapted into a film. This book consistently lands on top teen book lists.
Carter Finally Gets It / Brent Crawford
Challenged, but retained in the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma middle school libraries despite a parent's complaint that it is "vulgar, vulgar, vulgar."
The Young Adult Library Services Association recognized this book as one of 2010's Amazing Audiobooks.
Looking for Alaska / John Green
Banned as required reading for Sumner County, Tennessee. schools because of "inappropriate language."
The book won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature.
Fallen Angels / Walter Dean Myers
Challenged on the Danbury Middle School reading list in Toledo, Ohio due to inappropriate language.
In 1988, this book won the Coretta Scott King Award which recognizes outstanding African-American authors and illustrators and is awarded for books about the African-American experience that are written for a youth audience.
The Body of Christopher Creed / Carol Plum-Ucci
Challenged, but retained in the Appleton, Wisconson School District despite the book's reference to suicide and sex.
In 2001, this book was awarded the Michael L. Printz Honor Award for excellence in young adult literature.
Stuck in Neutral / Terry Trueman
Challenged at the Creekwood Middle School in Humble, Texas because the book was an "inappropriate reading assignment."
In 2001, this book was awarded the Michael L. Printz Honor Award for excellence in young adult literature.
It is important to respect those that express different views from you, it's covered in the First Amendment, in fact. What's also covered, however, is that none of us has the right to control or limit another person's ability to read or access information.
For more information on Banned Books Week, visit ala.org/bbooks
