the NMH Library Blog

Book Banning Alive and Well in the USA

From The Tennessean.com

Objections to some books are on the rise:   Libraries try to balance parents' rights to challenge books with others' rights to read what they wish

"The box of books Diane Chen stumbled onto at John F. Kennedy Middle School's library was simply labeled, "Inappropriate to Shelf.

The school's new librarian wondered, " 'Are they worn out? Is there something wrong with them? Are they potentially hazardous chemical journals for would-be-terrorists?' "

The answer was none of the above. Scared that the books — such as The American Heritage Dictionary 3rd edition, The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allen Poe, and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger — could trigger a book challenge, a former employee had pulled them off the shelves."  Read more....

Censorship popularity contest winners 2008

The ALA's Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008 reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:

1. "And Tango

MakesThree," by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Anti-Family, Homosexuality, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2. "His Dark Materials Trilogy" (Series), Philip Pullman
Reasons:  Political Viewpoint, Religious Viewpoint, Violence

3. "TTYL"; "TTFN"; "L8R, G8R" (Series), Lauren Myracle
Reasons:  Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

4. "Scary Stories" (Series), Alvin Schwartz
Reasons:  Occult/Satanism, Religious Viewpoint, Violence

5. "Bless Me, Ultima," by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons:  Occult/Satanism, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Violence

6. "The Perks of Being A Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons:  Drugs, Homosexuality, Nudity, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Suicide, Unsuited to Age Group

7. "Gossip Girl" (Series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Reasons:  Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

8. "Uncle Bobby's Wedding," by Sarah S. Brannen
Reasons:  Homosexuality, Unsuited to Age Group

9. "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons:  Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

10. "Flashcards of My Life," by Charise Mericle Harper

Reasons:  Sexually Explicit,Unsuited to Age Group

“Censorship dies in the light of day” : Banned Books Week Founder Dies

From the American Library Association website:

Judith Fingeret Krug, 69, the long-time director of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, who fought censorship on behalf of the nation’s libraries, died April 11 after a lengthy illness.

Krug, who often said, “Censorship dies in the light of day,” was the director of OIF and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation for more than 40 years.  She was admired and respected for her efforts to guarantee the rights of individuals to express ideas and read the ideas of others without governmental interference.

Through her unwavering support of writers, teachers, librarians and, above all, students, she has advised countless numbers of librarians and trustees in dealing with challenges to library material.  She has been involved in multiple First Amendment cases that have gone all the way to the United States Supreme Court.  In addition, she was the founder of ALA’s Banned Books Week, an annual week-long event that celebrates the freedom to choose and the freedom to express one’s opinion.   Read more. 

 Judith Krug with Judy Blume, 2008 Banned Books Week Read-Out! Chicago

Banned Books Video

from alfocus.ala.org...

Scenes from the 2008 Banned Books Week Read-Out, held at Chicago's Pioneer Plaza September 27. Speakers include authors Judy Blume, Lois Lowry, Stephen Chbosky, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and Luis Alberto Urrea; a selection of challenged music performed by Matt Ryd; interviews with Judith Krug, And Tango Makes Three authors Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, and ALA President Jim Rettig; and a reading from Lauren Myracle's TTYL by the author with special guests Ron Koertge and Nanette Perez.

Banned Books: NPR & myspace.com

NPR: Grapes of Wrath and the Politics of Book Burning

myspace.com - Banned Books Week

Image Source: Kern County Museum

Banned Books & Quiz

Link: Article by Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass.

Link: Quiz on banned books.

Image Source: guardian.co.uk

John Irving, Wed. Oct.1

In celebration of Banned Books Week, acclaimed author John Irving will speak at NMH

 

       Wednesday, October 1

        7 p.m. -Rhodes Arts Center concert hall

        Refreshments will follow at the Schauffler Library

For information about John Irving and Banned Books Week see:  http://libguides.nmhschool.org/speakers

Dangerous for Teenagers!!

 

Each year books are challenged, restricted, removed or banned in public and school libraries throughout the country.  Banned Books Week begins on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Take a QUICK survey about 5  books. Learn why they were banned or challenged and weigh in with your opinion. 

Click Here to take survey

Click Here to see responses

John Irving at NMH

In celebration of Banned Books Week, acclaimed author John Irving will speak at the Schauffler Library.

Wednesday, October 1

7 p.m. -  Location Change: RAC Concert Hall

Refreshments will follow at the Schauffler Library

For information about John Irving and Banned Books Week see:  http://libguides.nmhschool.org/speakers

From the all-school meeting Monday 9/22:

What do the following books have in common?

Harry Potter 
Wrinkle in Time,
I know why the Caged Bird Sings
Of Mice and Men
Lord of the Flies
The Captain Underpants series