Michael Zimmer.org

Banned Books Week 2008 is being celebrated September 27 – October 4, and is the 27th annual celebration of the freedom to choose what we read, as well as to select from a full array of possibilities.

According to the American Library Association, more than 400 books were challenged in 2007. The 10 most challenged titles were:

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4. The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
Reasons:  Religious Viewpoint

5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
Reasons:  Racism

6. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7. TTYL, by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
Reasons:  Sexually Explicit

9. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
Reasons:  Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons:  Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

There are a variety of events across the country to celebrate Banned Books Week, including a Read-Out! — a continuous reading of banned/challenged books — in Chicago on September 27. Google has also created a nice website with access to a variety of banned books. There’s even a Facebook page.

Please visit a local library or bookstore this week, and celebrate the freedom to read.

Related posts: (automatically generated)

1. Banned Books Week 2009: Ignorance is No Armor
2. Banned Book Week is Coming…Even in Wasilla
3. Will Google Use “Editorial Discretion” to Exclude Books from Book Search?
4. Amazon Removes Books from Kindle, Exposing the True Concern: They’re Watching, They’re in Control
5. Google Celebrates Your Freedom to Read, Unless, of Course, You’re in China