Celebrate Your Freedom to Read!
| What Do These Books Have in Common? | ||
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| All of these books have been "challenged" at one time or another because of what some people consider to be objectionable content. Each year, hundreds of attempts are made by individuals and groups to have books removed from library shelves and classrooms. Banned Books Week (Sept. 24 - Oct. 1, 2011) calls attention to these attempts, and celebrates something so many Americans so often take for granted: our freedom to read what we choose. We've used an online tool called LibraryThing to compile a list of some of the books that have been challenged during the 20th century and through 2010. All of the books in the list are available in the Kendall Campus Library's circulating collection. Are you surprised by any of the books in the list of challenged titles? Does the list include any of your favorite books? How many challenged books have you read? How do you feel about attempts to ban these books from libraries? Click the comments link below to join the discussion! |
posted by Jennifer @ 9:06 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Why was the Lorax banned?
The Lorax, a popular children's book by Dr. Seuss, is about a creature who protests against corporate greed and the exploitation of natural resources. He is specifically concerned about deforestation, and the disappearance of the "truffula tree" on which his eco-system depends. In the late 80s, the parents of a second-grader in Laytonville, California (an area where logging is an important industry) complained that the book demonizes the livelihoods of many of the local residents. They attempted to have the book removed from the school district's required reading list, but, if I remember correctly, they were unsuccessful. So the book wasn't banned, but it is an example of a book that was challenged on social grounds.
My friend, librarian Carlos Fernandez, sent me this great article: Bukowski's letter to a library that banned his books. Thanks, Carlos!
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