In honor of Banned Books Week (9/26-10/3/09), I would like to encourage you to read banned books, encourage others to read banned books, and open a dialogue about censorship and free speech.
I recommend Laurie Halse Anderson’s post last week regarding the attempts to ban her books, Twisted and Speak.
I applaud Ms. Anderson’s calm manner in writing about this issue. And I applaud her writing. Period. She is one of my inspirations. She tackles hard teen issues in a way that teens and adults can appreciate and learn from.
Read Speak, Twisted, or Wintergirls this week, or any of the books listed on the Banned Books website.
In the comments, tell me what you think.
1 Comment
September 28, 2009 at 2:18 am
I think these Banned Books Week resources may also be of interest:
“American Library Association Shamed,” by Nat Hentoff, Laurel Leader-Call, 2 March 2007.
“Banned Books Week and the ALA,” by Dennis Ingolfsland, The Recliner Commentaries, 4 August 2009.
“‘Censors’ Are So Scary,” by Annoyed Librarian, Library Journal, 6 October 2008.
“Finding Censorship Where There Is None,” by Mitchell Muncy, Wall Street Journal, 24 September 2009, p.W13.
“National Hogwash Week,” as coined by Thomas Sowell. And this resource has a long, updated list of BBW-related articles.
“US Libraries Hit Back Over Challenges to Kids Books,” by Sara Hussein, Agence France-Presse [AFP], 6 September 2009.
“Various Humbugs Regarding Banned Books Week, by Mateo Palos, Mateo Palos, 27 September 2009.