It's the start of this year's Banned Book Week, an annual event sponsored by American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; Comic Book Legal Defense Fund; the Freedom to Read Foundation; National Coalition Against Censorship; National Council of Teachers of English; National Association of College Stores; PEN American Center and and Project Censored. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.
The idea is to call attention to the censorship, banning, and attempted banning that occurs every year in the US and to showcase the value in unfettered access to information. Books across the spectrum of fiction and non-fiction are challenged each year, including children's picture books. The reasons vary - religious beliefs, morals, disrespect to authority, language, etc.
I don't believe in censorship. For myself, I am quite capable of determining what is appropriate for me to read. For others, I believe they are capable of doing the same. Parents should certainly be monitoring and be aware of what their children are reading. BUT, that's it. No parents, religious leader, government official, or anyone else should have the right to say, "You can read this but not that.", "You can sell this book but not that or that", etc.
The American Library Association keeps track of books that are challenged every year and composes lists. You can see this year's list and those of previous years, here.
The Giveaway ~
You can win any print or Kindle book shown below, up to $15US. I'll be ordering from Amazon. US only. Please read my Giveaway Policy.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hop Participants
I've read the two Toni Morrison books and The Hunger Games. I personally think banning books is a incredibly flawed practice. I understand that most people have good intent, but it takes away someone else's freedom to read that material.
ReplyDeleteI have read the Hunger Games.
ReplyDeleteI have not read the books above, but I'd try them!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the giveaway. Fingers crossed. :-)
I think if I were to win, I'd choose the Kindle edition of What My Mother Doesn't know. :-)
DeleteOf recent titles, I have read all the Hunger Games books. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have not ready of the books you listed, but there are a lot of books on the list that it was mandatory for me to read in school!! I really do not agree with banning, maybe censoring some due to sexual content.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter read 50 shades of grey and loved it. I do not think I have read any but I read what I want and it does not matter to me if it was banned or not. I do believe that books show be listed for age due to sexual content but that all should be able to read what the want and parents should restrict what the thin is wrong for there child
ReplyDeleteBrave New World is the only one I've read. If I win I'd select one of the Morrison books. I'm a retired librarian and have always been against banning or otherwise restricting access to books and other media.
ReplyDeleteI read the Hunger Games. I don't agree with banning or censoring any type of writing, but I would like some kind of rating system, as in like PG, R, etc. I think it would be a lot more helpful when selecting books. I have read some YA books that are so sexually explicit that I thought they belonged under more of an erotica book! This way, bloggers, parents, children and all people could pick something up and feel satisfied with their purchases.
ReplyDeleteI've read the 50 Shades and Hunger Games series of the above and countless other banned books. Most I did not even know they were banned until later. As an American I have a huge problem with banning/censoring of books because it eliminates free will. It's one thing if you don't care to read a certain topic and a whole different thing if you're trying to eliminate a topic from existence. IMO - meghann m.
ReplyDeleteI've read all the books above except for 50 Shades. I would love to read The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar.
ReplyDeleteLove Hunger Games it is so today something that we need to read and think about how do we treat those who cannot harm us vs those who can help us?
ReplyDeleteHunger Games is one of my favorite books (and series). I let my son read it, too. I don't want people to tell me (or my children) what they can and can't read. Every one has a different experience reading the same book.
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hunger Games, which I loved! I believe that a person should read anything fiction that they want. We should be worried about how-to books on bomb making and crap like that rather than fictional tales.
ReplyDeleteWhile have not read any of the books listed there are several books on the banned list of I have read such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Lolita, The Book Thief, 1984, The Catcher in the Rye, Fahrenheit 451 and others. I think everyone and subject should have a voice when you stop someone from expressing you are cutting at their core.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the above books yet
ReplyDeleteI read 50 shades of grey and beloved.
ReplyDeleteI have read THE HUNGER GAMES. Loved it. I've read lots of books from the banned lists. I can understand parents being careful in what young children read, but otherwise...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to spotlight Banned Books week! I meant to include it on this week's News & Notes, but I forgot. Oh, well, I'll squeeze in an extra post sometime this week. I totally agree with you on censorship: parents should be able to have some say (not necessarily unlimited, with older students) in what their own children read, but no one should be banning books for school or public libraries.
ReplyDeleteHaven't read those; don't think books should be banned
ReplyDeleteI've read Fifty Shades of Grey. I think banning books is the most ridiculous thing ever.
ReplyDeletebanning books is such a silly notion.........
ReplyDeleteI've read the Hunger Games, but I don't think it should be banned
ReplyDeleteI have read the Hunger Games. In my experience my middle school did ban the Harry Potter books; which got me to read them to see what the fuss was about. I have been a fan since! :D Thanks Book Banner's! ;)
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hunger games, and I liked it and the movie was good too. I have read A wrinkle in Time, I guess that one was on the list too. I have read To Kill a Mockingbird and a few others.
ReplyDeleteI've read the Hunger Games & Fifty Shades of Grey. I think banning is pointless, all it does is make people want to read them more.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge banned book advocate - I run a week long event every year at Book Journey on banned books. I wish I would have known about this one I would have been thrilled to participate! I will link you up this week so others will check out the hop :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the banned books you have shown - I have read Hunger Games, and Beloved :)
I have 2 teenage girls. I made sure I read what they were reading when they were growing up. Ya never know what a book could have in it that you might not want your kid to read when they are little, especially when they read above their reading level. But while I didn't let them read certain things, like explicit erotica or romance, I generally was ok with certain books. And I never would have told someone else that they couldn't read anything. As a parent it's my job to see what my kids are doing, not someone else's. I found out that their library at school makes you get a written note from your parents to read the House of Night series BUT not to read Tilt by Ellen Hopkins. I've read both. I would be much more concerned about my kids reading Hopkin's books without me knowing when they were younger than the HON series. (There is no reason for either book or author to be banned or challenged or whatever, I'm just using them as examples) I was just shocked that parents got their panties in a bunch over one and not the other, instead of just paying attention to what their kids were doing.
ReplyDeleteI have read a couple. I think that it depends on the age of the child and the content in the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! And I've only read the Hunger Games but the other books look good (:
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of the books you listed but "What My Mother Doesn't Know" sounds interesting. I am currently rereading the "Earth’s Children" Series by, Jean M. Auel which are all banned books. They are about a time when Neanderthals & modern humans coexisted.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the books listed, but I've read lots of banned books. The ones we have to read in school plus lots. I can't believe all the books that are banned. I understand about knowing what your child is reading but often it's sad at some of the content that is being lost, too.
ReplyDeletesavewish@yahoo.com
I've read Fifty Shades and Hunger games. I don't see any reason to ban books.
ReplyDeleteI've read The Hunger Games, The Giver and the Harry Potter series. I don't believe in banning books so I love this hop for raising awareness! Thanks for this amazing giveaway - I would love to win!
ReplyDeleteI have read the Hunger Games
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale for Banned Books Week.
ReplyDeleteI have the book Beloved but I have yet to read it. I hope to do so soon, even though I have heard it is a heavy read. Also, this sounds like a great idea to raise awareness of books that were banned and that books that are banned shouldn't be!
ReplyDeletehttp://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/09/bridge-of-deaths-blog-tour-giveaway.html
I have read Brave New World and The Hunger Games. I don't believe that books should be banned but rather read and discussed.
ReplyDeleteI read the Hunger Games
ReplyDeletei have read a lot if not most of the books on the banned lists. the only 2 ive read of the ones listed above are the hunger games and 50 shades og grey and both ive read all the books. i think most of the books on the lists are insane! captain underpants?! a color purple?! harry potter?! of mice and men?! huckleberry finn?! theres so many crazziness i could go on forever!
ReplyDeleteI think more often than not concerns about permission of texts in school libraries focuses on instances of taboo behavior or topics rather than the literary value or significance of the themes to the age group targeted...my favorite novel ever was extensively censored -- the great *Ulysses* by James Joyce! Thank you for participating in this inspiring tour and raising awareness of this issue. Thank you also for this chance to win -- Kara S / KAS
ReplyDeleteI've read The Hunger Games and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I have not read any of the ones on your list yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm against censorship. I believe in freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and I believe book printing falls squarely within that realm. People have a right to read what they want and figure out for themselves whether they like it or not. Some banned books are books that I would not read and may even dislike because of their content, but I still would not ban them. Instead, I think it's more effective to put my opinion out there on why I disagree with any given subject matter, and go from there. And, with that said, I've read a lot of banned books. It takes a lot to shock or offend me! Some of my favorite banned classic books I've enjoyed are The Great Gatsby, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Grapes of Wrath.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in censorship because it can deprive one of a really good book and imposes on our choices.
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of the 6 books listed but I have been wanting to read Fifty Shades of Grey, so if I won I would choose that one. I have read a couple of banned/challenged books including Of Mice and Men, The Giver, and several books my Ellen Hopkins. And I am completely against censorship and banning books. Thank you for the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hunger Games and it was a great series
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hunger Games (one of my favorite YA series), The Bluest Eye, Beloved, and Brave New World. Brave New World is probably one of my favorite books, it is one of the first dystopian novels I ever read.
ReplyDeleteWhile I haven't read any of those particular books, I've read other banned books, such as the Harry Potter books, 1984, and others. I'm strongly opposed to book banning. I feel parents should monitor their children's books for age appropriateness, but should otherwise let them explore. Those afraid to question their own narrow view of the universe are those most likely to ban books.
ReplyDeleteI've read Brave New World but it's been a little while now. I'm against censoring and banning books. It just dosen't make sense to me and I'm sad that it happens!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why would you ban a book?? Sounds crazy...
ReplyDeleteI read 50 Shades Of Grey, The Hunger Games, & The Book Thief
ReplyDeleteI don't think books should ever get banned.
I loved The Hunger Games and A Wrinkle in Time was one of my favorites when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the books above, but I have wanted to read Toni Morrison for a while. I have no idea why I've never picked up any of her books!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win!
Yes I've read and loved the Hunger Games. A Wrinkle in Time is also one of my favorite books of all time!
ReplyDeleteI am an avid reader, and surprised to see many of my favorites listed as banned. I think censorship is wrong, it should be the reader's and parent's choice which book they want to read. I read The Hunger Games and 50 Shades of Grey. Open books=open minds.
ReplyDeleteI read Hunger Games which is one of my favorite books ever and also Fifty Shades of Grey. I am not a fan of censorship at all. I think it is to the discretion of the reader or the reader's parents to decide what is appropriate. Some more difficult topics open the read up to the hardships in the world and help them cope with new and emotional things.
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hunger Games. I don't believe in banning books.
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of the above books yet, but I have the hunger games, just have not read it yet.
ReplyDeleteI have read a lot of books on the classics list. I read many of them in high school.
I do not believe in banning books. It is a person's right to choose.
I've read the Hunger Games which I enjoyed. I believe in parental censorship for what THEIR child reads but do NOT believe in banning.
ReplyDelete-Jamie
I haven't read any of the six shown. I am old enough to make my own decisions about books. No one needs to tell m what I can and can't read.
ReplyDeletei have read fifty shades.
ReplyDeletei would love to win what my mother doesn't know.
i think it's crazy that they censor books. obviously fifty shades of grey has no business in an elementary or middle school, but they beauty of reading is learning new things and that there are no bounds to one's imagination. we giving strict boundaries if the most popular books are banned!