Banned Books Week

9/24/2013

Last year I missed Banned Books Week, so this year I was determined not to. Then I almost missed it. Thankfully, people on Twitter were posting about it and reminded me.

I haven't read a lot of banned books. Well, the only one I can think of is Speak and it also sits on my shelf because, WOW, what a powerful book. It is the kind of book that I think teens should have access too. The way the main character deals with her situation would really speak to teens and help them. Not just with rape either. A Twitter friend recently read it and said she could relate to the main character but on a different level. I think it's the strength the main character develops. She is broken in the beginning and falling apart, and slowly, she rebuilds herself and discovers she can survive and will be okay. It will take time, but she will heal. A lot of people can relate on a variety of life struggles.

What banned books have you read? Are you celebrating Banned Books Week by rereading your favorite banned book?

8 Comments

Rebecca Bradley link

9/24/2013 08:16:33 pm

I'm not sure if I've read a banned book. I need to look this up. Thanks for the reminder.

Patricia Lynne link

9/25/2013 01:34:10 am

Here's list of some banned books. http://www.ala.org/bbooks/top-100-bannedchallenged-books-2000-2009 ^^

M.J. Fifield link

9/24/2013 10:32:59 pm

I love SPEAK. Such a great novel.

I used to teach English and requested the administration purchase this book for my classroom because I wanted my kids to read it. They hemmed and hawed and worried, but eventually, they came through for me.

9/25/2013 01:33:20 am

Glad they came through for you. =)

John Wiswell link

9/25/2013 12:59:11 am

"Celebrating" Banned Books Week always feels weird to me, but I've read plenty of books that were banned somewhere or another. You don't get to be a fan of Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift if you don't. But I've actually lived a life of literate privilege, as my public libraries have been very open about lending everything. They let me have endless Stephen King at 14. I plan to start Flowers for Algernon tonight.

9/25/2013 01:36:24 am

I don't remember how old I was, but I remember reading books by Ann Rice, Danielle Steele and others when I was in my teens. No one had a problem lending me those books. And reading them at a young age didn't turn my into a psycho... that you know of. ;)

Valerie Lawson link

9/25/2013 05:42:01 am

yay, for banned books! laurie halse anderson is so damn amazing! and so is speak. i agree that teens need to read this book anderson also has expanded this and helps run a fundraising campaign for RAINN http://www.rainn.org/speak every year in relation to this book.