Banned Books Week

[Charlynn]

Though Banned Books Week has already passed this year, I feel that it is never too late to pay attention to such a serious issue. So, until next fall when it arrives again, here's a brief overview:

ALA's Description/Explanation of Banned Books Week

What is the difference between a challenged book and a banned book? According to the ALA, the answer is:

"A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection."

To learn more about why books are challenged and who does so, go HERE to the ALA's explanation.

Also from the ALA, some general terms and definitions:

* Expression of Concern. An inquiry that has judgmental overtones.
* Oral Complaint. An oral challenge to the presence and/or appropriateness of the material in question.
* Written Complaint. A formal, written complaint filed with the institution (library, school, etc.), challenging the presence and/or appropriateness of specific material.
* Public Attack. A publicly disseminated statement challenging the value of the material, presented to the media and/or others outside the institutional organization in order to gain public support for further action.
* Censorship. A change in the access status of material, based on the content of the work and made by a governing authority or its representatives. Such changes include exclusion, restriction, removal, or age/grade level changes.


The Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2009 (According to ALA):

1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: drugs, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
2. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: homosexuality
3. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: anti-family, drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group
4. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Reasons: offensive language, racism, unsuited to age group
5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
6. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
7. My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
Reasons: homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence
8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
9. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
10. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Reasons: nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

Other Lists:
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
Most Frequently Challenged Author by Year of the 21 Century
100 Most Frequently Challenged Books from 1990-1999
100 Most Frequently Challenged Books from 2000-2009
Banned and Challenged Classics
Reasons Given for Challenging of Classics

Other Links:
Essential Preparation
Challenge Support
Reporting a Challenge
Contact Information for First Amendment Supporters