AKA banned books.
I have a little under an hour to kill, so I thought I would express my opinions on the topic. (Thanks to Charlie for inspiring me. AGAIN.)
So let me begin with saying: I am a reader. It is something I enjoy doing, and something that I spend most of my time doing. I read all different genres, and all different authors. I have so many books that they take up 2+ floor to ceiling bookshelves, and that isn't even all of them. I don't even want to guess at how many books I've read.
But I remember back in elementary, our school librarian explained to us what a banned book is. I was of course, disgusted because Winnie The Pooh was on that list. I was horrified at the fact that grown ups couldn't like a book just because it was about stuffed animals that talked. How could anyone be so thick-headed?
A Google search found me a page of the 11 most frequently challenged books 1990-2000, and I thought I'd go through some of them that I am familiar with.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, is a book I read a shortened version of in maybe... 4th grade. I thought it was a fun story, lots of adventure. It taught some values, a thing which many books now seem to forget to do.
Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling. This series has been challenged since the day it came out. Witchcraft is of course a touchy subject with the religious set, but in truth, Rowling did not create the series to teach young adults that they should attempt to become a witch or wizard themselves.
The Giver by Lois Lowry is one of the most intriguing books I believe I have ever read. It was one of those books that really makes you think, that makes you say, 'would I have done the same thing ___ did?' I found the book very inspiring.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a book I am familiar with, but have not yet read. I plan to change that soon.
The Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine was a staple to every boy in my class from 3rd grade to 6th grade. I could never read them because I was a scardy cat, and they gave me nightmares. They were fun books that gave you chills, but often, you were just left laughing at the stupidity of the situations the characters got themselves into.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, is possibly one of my favorite books. I attempted to read the rest of the series, but was never as impressed. I would stick this book with The Giver, and call it a book that inspired me and made me think on another level.
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous is a book I could never get my hands onto. In 7th grade, a girl discovered it in our school library, and word got around that it was a pretty cool (as in dirty and drug filled) book. Of course, every girl HAD to read it, and I could never get it for myself.
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George just adds to the list of inspiring books that made me think. As an animals lover, I loved the idea of a girl being able to find her place among a wolf pack. I cried when things went wrong, and cheered when something positive happened. I was very emotionally attached to the characters, either with two legs or four.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My 6th grade teacher showed us this movie, in all it's black and white glory, and I was enthralled. Of course, it took over three days to watch because we had to get all of our other subjects in. But I have not yet managed to read the book. Like The Catcher in the Rye, I plan to change this.
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. I first experienced this book in the torn and tattered form that my mother had held onto for ages. I loved all of his witting, thought provoking, humorous poetry. I could never seem to figure why people would dislike it.
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. The movie scared me when I was 8, and I never got around to reading the book. Maybe I should...
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson was a book recommended to me by my grandmother. It is possibly one of the first books that made me cry openly. I was very deeply wrapped up in the characters and found this book stunning.
Another book that made me think was The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney. In 5th grade, a friend of mine discovered it in the library, and being as she was the most popular girl in our class, EVERYONE had to read it. Of course, it did make me think I had been abducted for about a day or two...
Lord of the Flies by William Golding. My brother, 12, read this book last year for class. He said it was very interesting, and now I find that I will have to also find a copy of this book. Well I guess that's a good thing being as I don't own any books I haven't read, I need some more.
Where's Waldo? by Martin Hanford. Now, pardon my french but, WHAT THE HELL? WHAT'S WRONG WITH WHERE'S WALDO?!>!@>@!>@$!!>~>?~?~?
(for the full list, see http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.cfm )
Another bit of information is that the "2009 Banned Books Week will be held on September 26–October 3". (ALA) "BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met."
More information at http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.cfm
So, in summary, I believe that no books should be banned based on content, or whatever. Books are written to be read. If you dislike a book, DON'T READ IT. You don't have to go and ruin it for everyone else.
This topic irks me to no end. Why ban books? ARGHHH.
Oooh, my timing was excellent. only 10 minutes to go. Sweet.
<3
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