2008 Woodie Awards
Banned Books Week raises awareness of censorship lunacy
By Devin Dziuk
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: News
Originally published: 9/27/07 at 2:14 PM CSTLast update: 9/28/07 at 7:31 AM CST
- Page 1 of 1
Next week commemorates the 26th anniversary of Banned Books Week Saturday through Oct. 6 sponsored by the American Library Association.
The observation encourages students, teachers and others to read books that have been banned in libraries and schools.
This program was first observed in 1982, and reminds Americans to exercise their democratic freedom, according to the association's Web site at www.ala.org.
Books are banned because they are unorthodox or unpopular, according to the Web site.
Some popular books that have been under scrutiny have been the Bible, "Of Mice and Men," by John Steinbeck and a sex education book for children, "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris.
Each year, the association receives material that has been challenged.
It is reviewed and then determined what is most challenged throughout the year.
Recent challenged titles include J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series. Most complaints are that the series promotes witchcraft among children.
English Instructor Jane Focht-Hansen said books that receive criticism are recorded by librarians and then reported to the American Library Association.
"Banned Books Week is about freedom of opinion and the right to express it," Focht-Hansen said.
Top 10 most challenged books in 2006
• "And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, for homosexuality, anti-family and unsuited to age group;
• "Gossip Girls" series by Cecily Von Ziegesar for homosexuality, sexual content, drugs, unsuited to age group and offensive language;
• "Alice" series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for sexual content and offensive language;
• "The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things" by Carolyn Mackler for sexual content, anti-family, offensive language and unsuited to age group;
• "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison for sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group;
• "Scary Stories" series by Alvin Schwartz for occult/Satanism, unsuited to age group, violence and insensitivity;
• "Athletic Shorts" by Chris Crutcher for homosexuality and offensive language;
• "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky for homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language and unsuited to age group;
• "Beloved" by Toni Morrison for offensive language, sexual content and unsuited to age group;
• "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier for sexual content, offensive language and violence.
Source: American Library Association
Click
The observation encourages students, teachers and others to read books that have been banned in libraries and schools.
This program was first observed in 1982, and reminds Americans to exercise their democratic freedom, according to the association's Web site at www.ala.org.
Books are banned because they are unorthodox or unpopular, according to the Web site.
Some popular books that have been under scrutiny have been the Bible, "Of Mice and Men," by John Steinbeck and a sex education book for children, "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris.
Each year, the association receives material that has been challenged.
It is reviewed and then determined what is most challenged throughout the year.
Recent challenged titles include J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series. Most complaints are that the series promotes witchcraft among children.
English Instructor Jane Focht-Hansen said books that receive criticism are recorded by librarians and then reported to the American Library Association.
"Banned Books Week is about freedom of opinion and the right to express it," Focht-Hansen said.
Top 10 most challenged books in 2006
• "And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, for homosexuality, anti-family and unsuited to age group;
• "Gossip Girls" series by Cecily Von Ziegesar for homosexuality, sexual content, drugs, unsuited to age group and offensive language;
• "Alice" series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for sexual content and offensive language;
• "The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things" by Carolyn Mackler for sexual content, anti-family, offensive language and unsuited to age group;
• "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison for sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group;
• "Scary Stories" series by Alvin Schwartz for occult/Satanism, unsuited to age group, violence and insensitivity;
• "Athletic Shorts" by Chris Crutcher for homosexuality and offensive language;
• "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky for homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language and unsuited to age group;
• "Beloved" by Toni Morrison for offensive language, sexual content and unsuited to age group;
• "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier for sexual content, offensive language and violence.
Source: American Library Association
Click
This is an open forum for the readers of TheRanger.org. Abusive, inflammatory, slanderous, obscene and libelous language will not be tolerated. Please be considerate of other readers when posting comments. This is not the place for personal attacks. The staff of The Ranger.org reserves the right to deny publication of any posts. The comments posted here do not reflect the opinions of The Ranger staff, San Antonio College or the Alamo Community College District.
Be the first to comment on this story