There is so much to say about banned (and challenged) books. First, I would like to invite anyone thinking about challenging a book (for any reason) to stop. Think about what you're doing. You are taking away someone else's freedom to think for themselves. If a person (no matter how young they are) find subject matter/language/violence/etc. offensive, then it should be their choice to read or not read it.
Banning books leads people to believe that they are "dirty," "wrong," or "perverse" in some way, when in reality, that is just an opinion. It's not fact. Everything from The Holy Bible to And Tango Makes Three has been banned. There is no real good reason to ban books. Saying that, there is the case of children.
I personally believe that parents shouldn't ban their children from reading. Sheltering them from any existence that is outside of what they've grown up with causes them to grow up not knowing about things that exist in everyday mainstream life. When they go out into the real world (be it public school, college, work, etc.)...they will go into that with little or no knowledge about people that either are different or think differently then they do. And sometimes it's such a culture shock that they can't get along with others because of it.
However, I do suggest that parents, when they find materials their children are reading objectionable, the parents read those materials as well and have a discussion with their children about them. Chances are that your kids already know that the materials could be found offensive to some people and are either reading the materials because they are interested in the subject matter or interested in forming their own opinions about the materials (or maybe it's just a good read!). Never doubt the intelligence of your children.
Finally, by challenging books and getting them banned/moved to a a separate/special/restricted location, you are taking away not only your freedom to read these materials, but everyone else's as well. Just because you find the materials offensive doesn't mean that someone else does. Allow people to make the judgement themselves.
For more information on Banned Books week or banned/challenged books, visit the American Library Association's (ALA) website! http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/index.cfm
On a more fun note: Ways to celebrate Banned Books Week!
For librarians: create a banned book display in your library and decorate it accordingly. Caution tape, spray paint...visit
for some great ideas. (My public library did a YA banned books display with caution tape and spray paint, as well as reasons that books are banned this year!)
For everyone: read a banned book! Go to your public library and ask about banned/challenged books, or find your own at http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics/reasonsbanned/index.cfm
Here is how I celebrated banned books week this year...I created my own banned books tie using a plain white tie and Sharpies Stain markers! (the picture at the beginning of this post is it)
