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Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. ALA
Here is a video from the ALA that lists the top challenged books for 2017.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Educate yourself! Celebrate the First Amendment. You have the right to READ! Speak Out! I read #BannedBooks” quote=”Educate yourself! Celebrate the First Amendment. You have the right to READ! Speak Out! I read #BannedBooks” username=”EclecticEvelyn theme=”style1″]
The challenged/banned books are often about people and issues which some consider too “sensitive” or “controversial” to allow in libraries or schools. These issues include religion, sexuality, gender, race, ethnicity and more. Many books which are considered great classics and must-reads by colleges and universities have been banned or challenged. These include Tom Sawyer, The Grapes of Wrath, Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, and The Color Purple. Did you know the Bible is on the list of banned books? Imagine not having access to read the Bible or any other religious books because someone objected to it being available to the public. (At the bottom of this post, you will find links to the banned/challenged books lists.)
Where Do Challenges Come From?
They’re Not Just Censoring Books
Here are a few of my families favorite Banned Books.
Find out if any of your favorites are on the list.
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Artwork in this post courtesy of the American Library Association
What are your favorite banned books? Share them in the comments below.
These are some great books you have here, I have read a couple of them, but not many.
@tisonlyme143
Amazing, really. . .
Really a great post. Thanks for making us aware! And thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
that’s a great selection! i’ve only read 1 or 2, and i can’t ait to give them a go!
Banning books is like putting chains on your mind.
Well, my favorite banned book is definitely the Bible! It’s still banned in several countries around the world. I also enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird and A Wrinkle in Time. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina
It’s surprising that some of these are on the list. To Kill A Mockingbird is one of my favorites.
To kill A Mockingbird banned? Wow! I have heard of efforts to ban The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn.
The article is truly amazing! I appreciate your sharing the post with us.
Books are censored and speakers are censored on college campuses, on Facebook, Twitter, etc. What happened to free speech in this country?
Oh wow. My favorite book has always been The Outsiders ever since I read it when i was very young. I never knew it was banned. It has such an important message told in a way that young people understand.