Banned Books Week

This week kicks off "Banned Books Week," sponsored by the American Library Association.  This is an annual celebration, started in 1982, celebrating the freedom to read anything without censorship.  Throughout the week, libraries and bookstores around the country highlight these challenged and/or banned books by displaying them and hosting events about the issues.  Since 1982, more than 11,300 books have been challenged in both libraries and schools.  



Classic children books that have been banned:

                                                      Where's Waldo? by Martin Handford

When: 1987

Why: the book was banned and reprinted because it featured a topless woman on the beach.

 The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

When: 1988

Why: This popular childhood book was banned for being “sexist.” It was also challenged by several schools because it “criminalized the foresting agency.”

 

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

 

When: 1983

Why: The book was banned from several schools for being "a bad example for children."

 

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

When: 1996

Why: The book was banned for “profanity, disrespect for adults, and an elaborate fantasy world that might lead to confusion, and using phrases “Oh Lord” and “Lord.”

 

 

 

Here are a few Challenged books of the 21st Century :

 

 

Captain Underpants by Dav Piley







 

Why: Offensive language, unsuited for age group

 

and Tango Makes Three  by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

Why: Homosexuality, unsuited for age group

 

 

Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Why: nudity; offensive language; religious viewpoint

 

 

 



posted by Josephine