Banned Books Roundup - October 2011

Welcome to the fourth (and late) edition of Banned Books Roundup! At the end of every month I will feature stories that all have one thing in common, book censorship. Because I focus mainly on YA literature, these banned sightings will, you guessed it, spotlight children and young adult literature censorship.

Here is what happened in October:

Banned Books Week: The Conspiracy to Shield Queer Books From Your Eyes - 10/1/2011
"The sad side of it is that for every parent who insists that books about drugs, violence or sex are inappropriate for schools, there are many more kids who need those books because those “hot-button issues” are more than issues to them — they’re daily realities."

ACLU counts fewer banned books in Texas, but still no process to reinstate them - 10/2/2011
"In its 15th annual report on banned, challenged or restricted books in Texas schools, the Americans Civil Liberties Union found the number of books banned by school districts has decreased in the 2010-2011 school year from the year before."

Banned Books Roundup - September 2011

Welcome to the third edition of Banned Books Roundup! At the end of every month I will feature stories that all have one thing in common, book censorship. Because I focus mainly on YA literature, these banned sightings will, you guessed it, spotlight children and young adult literature censorship.

September had tons of news about book censorship and I can't possibly cover it all. I hope everyone had an awesome Banned Books Week and learned something new. Hopefully, we turned a few of you into Intellectual Freedom Fighters!

Here is a recap of September:Banned Books Week Is Just Hype - 9/8/2011
A really interesting article in The Patriot Post about the so-called hype and misinterpretations of ALAs Banned Books Week. I'm not sure I agree with the whole thing, but you always have to see the other side of the coin.

Blume, Myracle Join ALA's Banned Books Virtual Read-Out - 9/15/2011

School Library Journal announced their BBW Virtual Read-Out.

The Children’s Authors Who Broke the Rules - 9/16/2011

The book predictably landed on the American Library Association's list of the “most challenged books” of the 1990s. But in 1970, Sendak became the first American to win the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award for excellence in children's book ...

Ten Books About Censorship For Kids & Teens - 9/18/2011

The Huffington-Post compiles a list of books appropriate for kids and teens where the central theme is censorship. 

Controversial books removed from Republic schools to return to secure section of library - 9/20/2011

We talked about this challenge in August. While the news is good, Slaughterhouse-Five and Twenty Boy Summer, will still be a struggle to get to. 

Getting a read on the banned: Tips to help parents judge books for their children - 9/22/2011

I really enjoyed this article from a Youth Librarian in Joplin about how to help choose your child's reading material. She also notes that she would never dictate what another child should read. 

How One School Observes Banned Book Week - 9/23/2011
Pegasus observes Banned Books Week each year with several activities in the library. With the younger students, they will read a selection off the list and let them guess why the book was “banned.” A favorite of the students is “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss....

Parents say book inappropriate for teens - 9/24/2011
Author Bret Lott says his book "The Hunt Club" is a story about a 15-year-old figuring out who he is in the most specific and universal sense.Wando High School parent James Pasley says the book uses foul language, degrades women and people of color, and isn't appropriate to be on a recommended reading list for high school students.

'In Cold Blood' too bloody for students? - 9/25/2011

Since its publication in 1965, Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” has been widely recognized as a seminal work in American literature, frequently appearing on high school and college reading lists. But the contents of the nonfiction novel, which detail the brutal murder of a prosperous Kansas farmer and his family, are apparently too macabre for some Glendale Unified officials and parents who are seeking to block a request by a high school English teacher to add the text to the district’s English curriculum.

AND THE BEST NEWS IMHO:

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to Release New Edition of Lois Lowry's Newbury-Winning Work The Giver - 9/27/2011

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt today announced that it will publish an illustrated gift edition of one of its bestselling and most oft-challenged Newbury-winning titles, Lois Lowry's The Giver, on October 25--just in time for the American Library Association's (ALA) Banned Books Week, which runs through Saturday, Oct. 1.

*I have asked HMH if there will be a new look for The Giver...no word, but if I do hear something, I'll let ya'll know! The Giver is my favorite book and I couldn't be more happy about a new illustrated edition!

If you know of a story that I missed, feel free to share! 

The Banned Books Week Hop has come to an end. Thank you ALL for participating and entering! 

ALA - Office for Intellectual Freedom
American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression

Banned Books Roundup - August 2011

Welcome to the second edition of Banned Books Roundup! At the end of every month I will feature stories that all have one thing in common, book censorship. Because I focus mainly on YA literature, these banned sightings will, you guessed it, spotlight children and young adult literature censorship. I know, I know....there technically hasn't been a banned book in a very long time here in the US. We are fortunate to live in a place where the government doesn't not absolutely ban us from printing/distributing materials. We use the term "banned" in order to drive the point home - no one can tell me, and shouldn't tell anyone else, what to read. That is a decision I am capable of making, and believe others can as well. If we are talking about young adults - make an informed decision with your child and don't push your decision on others. Let stories be a gateway to deep and meaningful conversations about tough subjects. Good, it's settled then!

Unfortunately, August had its fair share of challenges, but the one awesome thing about this month is celebrating Banned Books Week! September 24th - October 1st is a time where we focus on our First Amendment rights and the freedom to read. At the very bottom of this post you will find resources for your blog, library, classroom, and everything else.

Here is what happened over the month of August:

Four Decades of Trying to Hide Slaughterhouse-Five - 8/7/2011
Two weeks ago, the school board in the Greene County town of Republic, which is to Springfield, Mo., roughly what Arnold is to St. Louis, voted to remove two books from the high library: Sarah Ockler's "Twenty Boy Summer" and Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five." The Vonnegut book, which had been taught in an upper-level English course, also got the boot from the curriculum. You may have heard about this. For some reason, it became national news, even though hardly a week goes by that someone, somewhere doesn't challenge a school or a library's decision to make some book available. The American Library Association reports that there were 10,676 challenges filed between 1990 and 2010, very often to the same books.

Banned Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of the Last Two Decades 8/9/2011

Despite First Amendment protection, banning or attempting to challenge books has a long history, with many cases even making it to the US Supreme Court. As the American Library Association explains: "books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." Science fiction and fantasy books often contain these themes that some find questionable, whether it's alien life forms, magical powers, or mystical worlds. The following are the most challenged science fiction and fantasy books according to the ALA.

Parents call children's book 'pornographic' 8/10/2011

Albemarle removes Sherlock Holmes book from reading list 8/11/2011
The Albemarle County School Board voted Thursday night to remove Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Study in Scarlet” from sixth-grade reading lists. A parent of a Henley Middle School student originally challenged the book in May on the grounds that it is derogatory toward Mormons.Thursday’s vote was the culmination of the work of a committee commissioned to study the book and two discussions by board members.

How novels get into Tri-City classrooms 8/15/2011

Richland school officials have grappled with book controversies three times in the past year - while nobody seems to complain about novels elsewhere in the Tri-Cities.Last month, the Richland School Board voted to pull The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, an acclaimed young-adult novel by Sherman Alexie, from the classroom. It has since reversed its decision after the public blasted the board.

Despite complaint, textbook stays in St. Charles classes 8/17/2011
A social studies textbook that stirred up controversy in St. Charles Unit District 303 is likely to remain in classrooms for two more years.Parent Jennifer Nazlian had challenged the third-grade book "Social Studies Alive!: Our Community and Beyond," saying it has a liberal slant on issues such as health care, immigration, unions and natural resources.

If you know of a story that I missed, feel free to share! 

I am happy to co-host the Banned Books Week Hop this year with Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. The hop runs September 24th-October 1st. For all the scoop, go HERE.

Want more information about book censorship? Visit these amazing sites:

ALA - Office for Intellectual Freedom
American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression
Frequently Challenged Books listed at ALA
Banned Books Week info HERE and HERE

Banned Books Roundup - July 2011

I have been blogging for a little over two years now and this is a feature I have always wanted to do. Welcome to the first edition of Banned Books Roundup! At the end of every month I will feature stories that all have one thing in common, book censorship. Because I focus mainly on YA literature, these banned sightings will, you guessed it, spotlight children and young adult literature censorship. Over the past several weeks there have been an unfortunately large number of cases of challenged books. Below is a list with links to full articles. I encourage you to read these challenged books and decide for yourself.....

School Board Delays Vote On Challenged Book 7/15/201

The Albemarle School Board has deferred its vote on a parent's challenge that involves Sir Arthur Conan's book, "A Study in Scarlett" at Henley Middle School. A parent complained about the way Mormon's were portrayed. The board expects to vote on August 11th.

Richland Schools Rescind Ban of Sherman Alexie Novel 7/18/2011
The board of the Richland (Wash.) School District reversed its ban on Sherman Alexie’s Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. The reconsideration came after the board learned that not all members of the district’s Instructional Materials Committee, recently established to review all books used in the schools, had read it. After personally reading the novel, Donahoe said he found it to be “outstanding.” He and Guay said that in the future they will read every book they are to vote on.

Republic School District Pulls 2 Books, Keeps 1 7/26/2011
Two books have been banned from the libraries and curriculum at Republic High School after a parent complained that their content taught principles contrary to the Bible. The district's school board voted Monday to remove Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five" and Sarah Ockler's "Twenty Boy Summer," but to allow Laurie Halse Anderson's "Speak" to be used in the district's high school. "Speak," which is taught in English I and II courses, because although it had one short description of a rape, it had a strong message at the end. "Twenty Boy Summer" was said to "sensationalized sexual promiscuity."

Sarah Ockler wrote a wonderful response to the banning of her outstanding book. Read the full response HERE. Joe Hadsall with the Joplin Globe wrote a response to the banning HERE. Although he has respect for Wesley Scroggins (the thorn in everyone's side), he thinks the banning is a terrible decision. The banning even made the CBS news.

Banned Books Week Features YouTube Read-Out 7/29/2011
Publisher's Weekly announced that people may submit two minutes videos of themselves reading a challenged/banned book and those videos will be broadcast on YouTube in a partnership with ALA (American Library Association) and American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE).

I am happy to co-host the Banned Books Week Hop this year with Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. The hop runs September 24th-October 1st. For all the scoop, go HERE.

If you know of a story that I missed, feel free to share! Want more information about book censorship? Visit these amazing sites:

ALA - Office for Intellectual Freedom
American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression
Frequently Challenged Books listed at ALA
Banned Books Week info HERE and HERE