Literanista
September 30, 2008
More resources and info:
Banned Books Week in the News (via Shelf Awareness)
“‘Dangerous’ books are a big reason to keep reading,” noted the Winston-Salem, N.C., Journal In the Asbury Park, N.J., Press, librarian Marian R. Bauman wrote, “Books are not evil and do not harm anyone.”
A Fort Myers, Fla., News-Press editorial advised, “Read, do not ban, books.””SoCal rediscovers banned books” was the headline in the Los Angeles Times over the weekend, followed Monday by “Banned Books Week–does it matter?” and David Ulin’s “Banned Books Week a thorny issue.”
BiblioBuffet, the online literary salon, features several pieces about Banned Books Week, including one by SIBA’s Nicki Leone, also managing editor and contributor of A Reading Life; a letter from Lauren Roberts, editor-in-chief; a column by author Lev Raphael; and a contribution from literary critic Henry L. Carrigan, Jr.
Inevitably, the Sarah Palin controversy has been invoked in many articles, including this from the Christian Science Monitor: “Given the recent public scuffle over Sarah Palin’s conversations while mayor with a Wasilla librarian about the possibility of banning books, there probably couldn’t be a better moment for the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week.”
“Oh, those evil books,” cautioned the Albany, N.Y., Times Union. “Banning books is not a way to run a country,” according to the Contra Costa Times. “Transparency and censorship issues are nonpartisan.”The American Thinker offered an opposing viewpoint: “Apparently 99% of Books Have Been ‘Banned’!”
Explore Banned Books Week further through these resources:
Banned Books Week events
Banned Books Week basics
Frequently challenged books
How to support Banned Books Week
2008 Banned Books Week Press Kit
Dealing with challenges
2009 Banned Books Week will be held on September 26–October 3
Challenged books include:
Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Paula by Isabel Allende
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
Great list here: www.deletecensorship.org and lots of info here: www.forbiddenlibrary.com
Banned Book week is a great time to learn about new books that should be read
Hi Valerie,
I am reviewing a couple banned books on my blog this week.