Banned Books Week 2017

This week, September 24th-30th is Banned Books Week. 

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association.

"Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers — in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular." - American Library Association 

Here at the library, we hope that you will find any book that your heart desires and that it is up to you and your child to determine what you want to read, no one else's. Many books we know and love are frequently challenged in school districts and libraries across the country. The American Library Association keeps a list of these books to inform the public about the harm of censorship. Check out the list of 'Frequently Challenged Children's Books' here:  http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/childrensbooks

"Out of the hundreds of challenges ALA records every year, only about 10% of books are removed from the location where the challenge took place, thanks to local literary champions such as librarians, students, and patrons who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read." -American Library Association

Here are some of our favorite frequently challenged children's books:

 James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

A young boy escapes from two wicked aunts and embarks on a series of adventures with six giant insects he meets inside a giant peach.

 Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

Pairs of rhyming words are introduced and used in simple sentences, such as "Day. Play. We play all day. Night. Fight. We fight all night."

 The Giver by Lois Lowry

Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.

 The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

When George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking that he is the superhero Captain Underpants, he leads them to the lair of the nefarious Dr. Diaper, where they must defeat his evil robot henchmen.

 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches.

To find out more about Banned Books Week, and to see the most current 2016 Top Ten Challenged Books go here: http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/about

Let us know on our Facebook page what your favorite banned books are!