Kim's Blog

Banned Books: Controversy and Free Speech

This week is Banned Book Week (Sept. 27- Oct 4.). On the ALA site, they mention the most challenged 2007 authors and books.  I took a glance at the novels and the reason it was banned- which include taboo topics such as homosexuality, violence and racism. 

The list usually contains classic authors who are challenged the most- Mark Twain and Maya Angelou. But this year there is a shocker- Toni Morrison is off the list!  Beloved has not made the top ten in 2007. I wonder if Toni feels…..left out, lonely, empty. I mean for years her book (usually more than 1)has made the list. What? Did her themes become mainstream?  Were the scenes less shocking due to cable TV? 

In my first teaching job, I was partially a librarian for a K-8 school.  I worked with the classrooms using the Accelerated Reading program, reminding students that their books were due back next week and reading, reading, reading.  It was great! Although to my knowledge, I am the first and only librarian whose ENTIRE family was banned from taking any more books out (either at the school or the public library) because, well, we just simply didn’t return them. We loved those books. My mom instilled devotion early on and it stuck. 

So now, here I am- in charge of telling students to return their books- or else!  I have to say Mrs. Jaeger, the former veteran librarian, was turning over in her grave.  Knowing I was never really going to fine a student for reading, re-reading and loving books too much (or at least that’s how I envisioned it).

In this year of being the ruler of all things literary, Harry Potter was all the rage. It had been out a few years but those books were always checked out and kids wanted to talk about it. I read Harry Potter, and although I was never a mega-fan. I understood the allure.  But in the news that year, schools were banning Harry Potter. Wizardry and the obsession with this series received a massive amount of attention. I tried to imagine what the offending topics were and I remember thinking that I would never ban that book.  It was creating excitement, it was a long read and kids were proud of that accomplishment.

So this brings me to a question- What is YOUR favorite banned book? Why? I look forward to your comments.

The ALA has put together many materials and guidelines for Librarians to use as a resource.  Check out ala.org for these resources and more.