
Banned Books Week
*Happy* Banned Books Week! I put asterisks around Happy because the phrasing seems a little adverse, although it is appropriate because of its purpose. The observance of Banned Books Week was created in 1982 as a response to the overwhelming surge of literary censorship. Since then, over 11,000 books have been challenged because of “unsuitable” or “offensive” content. The American Library Association (ALA) receives reports of attempts to censor or ban books and uses the information to inform readers and the public of such controversies and to further promote informational access.
“Okay,” you may be saying, “but censorship violates my right, authors’ rights of freedom of speech. You know, a basic amendment right. That can’t be happening today.” Sentences one and two of that statement is correct! However, some individuals, groups, or organizations are still disagreeing with views and/or ideas presented within the pages of books (like cultural allusions, offensive language, and more), and are trying to eliminate access – through censorship or trying to have books removed from a library or bookstore – because those views and ideas go against their own beliefs. Yes, this still happens. It’s not something of the past, and it surely isn’t going away in the future. However, the ALA strenuously works to protect the rights of librarians, teachers, students, and others to make sure freedom of speech and information access is upheld. Who exactly is challenging those rights of ours? You may be surprised to find out that since 1990, more parents have overwhelmingly challenged literary content than any other group.
So, there’s a little background into censorship and the reasons behind the creation and importance of Banned Books Week. It’s about awareness, promotion, and of course, reading. Remember, just because certain individuals or groups believe certain information shouldn’t be shared or published, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to that very information.
Have you ever read a book that has been constantly challenged or maybe even censored? A few infmaous titles that are frequently challenged or have been banned include (but are certainly not limited to):
The Great Gatsby – John F. Fitzgerald
Persepolis – Marjane Satrapi
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
The Call of the Wild – Jack London
Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
The Harry Potter series – J.K. Rowling
And, one of the most ironic, Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury
I urge you to continue spreading the word about Banned Books Week, in order to further show your support for literature, libraries, writers, imagination, ideas, words, as well as access to them. I know this post is quite link heavy, but I promise there is valuable information behind the links. So get informed, share your experience(s) with a banned or challenged book (and any resources you have found!), and get reading!
Be sure to check out bannedbooksweek.org and ala.org/bbooks for more information on banned books and your right to access information and read (and if you’re looking for some more fun with Banned Books Week, check out this crossword puzzle from Penguin Random House).


8 Comments
globalhousesitterX2
First time I have heard of the “Banned Books Week”. Interesting and thanks for sharing it! I will have to read more about it now!
kmac14
For sure – spread the knowledge! 🙂 Thank you for reading!
anhistorianabouttown
It seems as though that none of us can think for ourselves- heaven forbid we read Harry Potter, because obviously we will jump to Satan worship immediately ? School in Canada doesn’t start until after Labour Day, I wish it was later- it would start off your year with a bang! (Kids would totally be all over reading forbidden books ?) Great post!!
anhistorianabouttown
Oops, just saw the original post date- hopefully teachers are using this in their reading for September!!
kmac14
Thank you for reading! And I definitely read a few titles that are often challenged in school – it would be a cool thing to study, though!
actualconversationswithmyhusband
I’m stunned at this list. Floored. That’s not an exaggeration, by the way; my jaw literally dropped and when I needed to scroll down I had to move my hand away from my chest because I’d clutched at pearls I’m not actually wearing today.
Okay, I can kind of see some really fussy, uptight people objecting to some of these books, but who in the hell has a problem with Call of the Wild? Show yourselves, you lunatics, and defend your idiotic opinions right now!
kmac14
My sentiments exactly!
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