It's hard to believe that it's that time of year again - time for the ALA's Banned Books Week. Sadly, this informational week is still needed, because books are still being banned and challenged every year. Last year, in the US, there were 460 book challenges reported. Books from The Catcher in the Rye to the Twilight series were targeted.
A recently challenge made the news last week, when a college professor wrote a scathing article in his local paper about books being taught in the public school system. One of the books he targeted was Speak, a YA novel about rape that he characterized as "soft-core porn".
This is one of my hot-button issues. Rape is not about sex, it's about power and control. And anyone who would look at a book about teens dealing with this horrible crime as sexually arousing has some issues of his own, in my opinion.
Before this hit Twitter and mainstream media outlets, I'd never heard of Speak before. But in honor of Banned Books week, I'm going to pick up a copy.
So that's my challenge to you. Here's the list of frequently challenged books. (The link takes you to the top ten challenged books of last year; there are multiple links on the left sidebar that go back several years.) Take a peek - really, there's something for everyone, from classics to new works, from picture books to novels. And in keeping with the theme of the week, why not choose one banned book and Buy It Now?
What's your choice?
1 comment:
I need to pick up a hold at the library. Maybe I'll look for this while I'm there. Thanks!
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