Before you jump to the wrong conclusion, dear readers, Banned Books Week is NOT about running about trying to get books put out on the streets instead of in schools or libraries where they belong. It’s quite the opposite. Banned Books Week exists to raise awareness about YOUR freedom to read!
This video that I made should give you a quick overview…
According to the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, there were 513 challenges to books reported in 2008. The top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2008 are featured in the video below:
So what do you think? Did you see any books that look familiar in either of those videos?
Do you think that other people should be able to decide for you what you can and can’t read? Well, besides your parents. They definitely get a say! 
Constitution Day wasn’t that long ago. What connections can you make between the Freedom of Speech guaranteed by the First Amendment and the Freedom to Read?
If you’re interested in finding out where in the country that book challenges occur, check out this interactive Google map that includes challenges from 2007 to 2009. I found one from Winchester, KY!
So, I’ll end this with reminding you that Free People Read Freely! Read a Banned Book!
13 responses so far ↓
1
Mrs. S.
// Sep 29, 2009 at 10:50 am
Ahhh, Banned Books week always does get us going doesn’t it? And as usual, there are always a few shockers in the mix!
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2
Mrs. Martin
// Sep 30, 2009 at 10:26 am
Well, hello again! I am so excited about BANNED BOOKS WEEK!! I love it that this week celebrates the fact that we should read what makes us happy! There are so many great books out there now, and I always love a good story! I have to say, however, that it is always fun to look at the banned books list and see why things have been “challenged”. Also, it is fun to notice that you may have actually read a lot of what is on the banned list. A couple of them were on our book project list. Anyway, I am going on and on, SO, I will leave all students something to help them with their comment this week. Jessie Clarkians, you are to use the prompt below for your comment. It is a must. READY! Here it is….
Discuss a book that you have read that has been challenged, or that you feel could or should be challenged and tell us why! Don’t be afraid to be honest! It always sparks the best discussion!
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Lexi C. Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 am
A book that I’ve read that is challenged or I believe is challenged is Scary Stories. I’ve read some of the books. I don’t understand why it’s challenged because, like what you said, it’s Halloween stories. Would you recommend Scary Stories as challenged at all?
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Talia D. Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
One of the books that I think should be on the band books list is”Artichokes Heart” the book Iam reading for the book project . I think that it should be on the band books list because it has some minor sexual content in it.
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NicolasV Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
Of Mice and Men by John Steinback
Reason: offensive language, racism, and violence
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3
kevin I.
// Oct 2, 2009 at 10:23 am
A series that I have read off the banned books list is the Harry Poter series, I have read the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and5th books in the series. I dont see why they put it in for satanism. There are some parts that I can kind of see like when they make the giant green skull, with a snake coming out of its mouth, appear in the sky.
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4
Laura D
// Oct 2, 2009 at 10:26 am
One book I have read that has been challenged is The Adventures of Tom Saywer. This book has been chllenged because of how it is about a young boy in the 1800’s they have some words that we consider “bad words” – or what is calledoffensive language. Except now they don’t have the same meaning as back then! i do and don’t agree with this book being challenged!
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5
Matthew B
// Oct 2, 2009 at 10:30 am
The challenged book I have read was “Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone.” I think peolpe would challenge this book because there is lots of violence. There is also alot of satism in Harry Poter. Las t reason I think Harry Potter is chalenged is there is scary parts that some childeren might be scared of.
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6
Shawna S.
// Oct 2, 2009 at 10:35 am
A book that I have read that I think should be on the banned books list is the Demonta Series, (Lord Loss) I love the series but I think it should be on the banned book list because it is very graphic. If the banned books list has a book on the list because of a girl in a bikini (Where’s Waldo) than the Demonta series should really really be on the banned books list. I think that it’s kinda odd to put a book on the list just because of a woman in a swimsuit, there should honestly be books on the list that really need to be there. A woman in a swimsuit is something we can see all the time, just go to a pool, but it’s not everyday that we see a person with their head cut off.
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7
Shana O.
// Oct 2, 2009 at 10:36 am
A book I have read, that is one the most challenged books list is “My Brother Sam is Dead”. I think I read this book in 4th grade. It is about two brothers during the revolutionary war. The oldest brother joins the army and is captured by the british. when his little brother finds out about this he tries to save him before the british kill him. The little brother goes on this big journy to save him. this book is sad but you really get into it, like you can really FEEL the love between the brothers. There is some bad language, and unsuited age group in this book.
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8
Maddie U.
// Oct 2, 2009 at 10:38 am
The book(s) that I read that I know has been chanlenged is Crank and the sequeal Glass by Ellen Hopkins. I know that these books have been challenged because I actually got to meet Ellen Hopkins,and she talked to about her books being challenged,
and read Crank/Glass too!
she also told me that she was NOT going to let them get banned.
I love her enthusam on the situation though, these books are mainly challenged because there are drugs in it,but people I think need to understand is that this book is based on true advents. Everything that is in that book is based on her daugther’s life;but I also believe that everyone is entilted to their own opinions as well,so I wont argue.
I do think though that everyone needs to decicde for themselves what want to read, and I think that Crank and Glass, need to be read by some people. It could turn your life around,if you have ever concedered doing drugs by time you finish these books,you will walk away from them. This story is telling the reader what could happen if they choose that lifestyle,and its one no one want to live. So go read a banned book
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9
SierraJ.
// Oct 2, 2009 at 10:39 am
A book that I feel that should be challenged is “The Taste Of Blackberrys” I feel it should be challenged because it shows people in poor conditions and a young child has to deal with his best friends death.
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10
Taylor R
// Oct 2, 2009 at 10:45 am
A book I have read that i think should be on the banned books list is The Watson’s Go To Birmingham. I think it would be challenged because it is about racism and has alot of language. It is very good though. It tells about a black family that goes to Birmingham and along the way all the gas stations had signs that said no blacks allowed and whites only. They even had as much as to all black restraunts and restrooms.
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