Celebrate Banned Books Week: September 29-October 6, 2007

"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."—Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas

"An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all."-Oscar Wilde


Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2006:

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Gossip Girl Set Complete 11 Book Collection by Cecily Von Ziegesar
The World of Alice (Boxed Set): The Agony of Alice; Alice in Rapture, Sort Of; Reluctantly Alice; All but Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories by Chris Crutcher
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

-The American Library Association

Just Barely My Favorite Banned Books:
These are good reads, folks. These books address real issues young people face, and it's reassuring for kids and teens to know they're not alone. Don't be afraid to pick up banned books and share them with your children. They're a good way to start a conversation about what can-but shouldn't be-be uncomfortable topics.

“[I]t's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.” —Judy Bloom

For Kids:

And Tango Makes Three
A Light in the Attic

For Tweens

Where Did I Come From?
Starting with Alice
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Flowers for Algernon
To kill a Mocking bird

For Teens:

Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories
The Chocolate War
We All Fall Down
The Perks of Being a Wallflower

On Up:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The Color Purple
The Bluest Eye
Beloved

Happy Reading!