Banned Books Week

A reminder to everyone that this

is Banned Book Awareness week

“Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime.”—Potter Stewart, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court

The 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
2. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
3. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
4. The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
6. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
7. TTYL, by Lauren Myracle
8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
9. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
10. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky

The reasons for the challenges varies. In some instances it's religious viewpoints, in others it may be language, sexuality, racism. Between 2000 and 2007 some frequently challenged titles have included:

• Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling
• Of Mice and Men - John Stinebeck
• Forever - Judy Blume
• The Giver - Lois Lowry
• We All Fall Down - Robert Cromier
• To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
• Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
• Brave New World - Aldous Huley
• One Flew Over The Cuck00's Nest -Ken Kesey
• Anastasia Again - Lois Lowry
• Are You There God? It's Me Margaret - Judy Blume
• Freaky Friday - Mary Rodgers

Be alert and aware of efforts in your own community to ban books in Schools, Libraries and Universities. Don't be silent!