Just as a reminder

We're heading into that time of the year. No, I'm not talking about Autumn, although happy Mabon. I'm talking about Banned Books Week, which this year is October 5th through 11th. George Takei has been named Honorary Chair this year.

So...

I have the t-shirt that says this that I bought from the ALA. Also, the bumper sticker. Always good to remind people. So take up a banned book this year and read or re-read it. Better yet, fight for the rights of others to read them. So many libraries, schools, librarians, and teachers are facing challenges across the nation right now. I'm really interested in seeing The Librarians for that reason, although I may wait till it streams somewhere if I can.

'Read. Speak. Know.' Celebrating Banned Book Week September 26th-October 3rd, 2009

'Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.' Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Two videos from the American Library Association regarding Banned Books Week:





Here are a few from other people:







Top 10 from last year (according to the ALA):

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group
   
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman; Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence
   
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
   
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz; Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence
   
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence
   
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky; Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group
   
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar; Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
   
8. Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen; Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group
   
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini; Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
   
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper; Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group
    

There were 517 reported challenges last year. But many go unreported.

Check out some of the statistics at ALA's website, banned and challenged classics. Plus, there are the top 100 banned books from the last decade and lists for the 21st century.

Also, see a map of challenges for 2007-2009.