Local libraries celebrate Banned Books Week
Libraries across the nation are celebrating Banned Books Week by highlighting books that have been banned over the years. Some of the most challenged books of all time include classics like Huckleberry Finn and modern series like Harry Potter. The ten many challenged books of 2008 are young adult and most were challenges sited that the books were “unsuited to the age group,” according to the American Library Association.
Cary Area Public Library librarian Amy Ketzer believes that approach backfires.
“Personally I think the best way to get a child to read a book is to tell them that they’re not allowed,” she said. “It’s almost guaranteed to make them find the book and read it under the covers at night.”
Ellen Jennings, teen librarian at Cook Memorial Public Library believes banned books week can be a growing experience for both children and adults.
“It’s easier to talk about drugs, sex and rock and roll in the context of a book character’s situation than it would be to deal with the very real consequences of their child’s experimentation,” Jennings said.
Librarian Lizzy Klinnert, who put up a display on Banned Books Week at the Barrington Area Library, enjoyed reading banned books as a child, and still tries to read at least one challenged book during the week.
“When I was younger, the idea that I could be rebellious while reading was thrilling to me,” she said. “Reading is so personal—everyone reads different things, for different reasons. I would not want anyone’s reading experience to be limited because a book has been taken off the shelf.
Susan Strunk, director of the Palatine Public Library, echoed Klinnert’s perspective.
“How can one person make that determination on behalf of another person?” she said. “That’s making an assumption that we have a very homogeneous population everywhere, when there’s a lot of range of experience.”
Local librarians weighed in on the list and even picked out a few favorites. To find out why these books were challenged, go to www.ala.org/bbooks.
Banned Books Week continues through Oct. 3.
The Ten Most Challenged Books of 2008, from the American Library Association.
1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
“And Tango Makes Three is a lovely picture book, based on a true story, with charming illustrations and a sweet story promoting love and family,” said Heather Beverly, ¬librarian at Cook Memorial Public Library. “It is simply the story of two parents wishing with all their hearts for a child, and how that wish is granted. These penguins will warm your heart with their sweet yearning.”
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman
“[These] are my absolute favorite books,” Klinnert said. “The characters and the depth of the storyline draw me back to these books time and time again. I’ve read them through three times and tend to pick them back up about every five years. It really is just a beautifully told story.”
Other librarians highlighted Pullman’s series as favorites as well.
“His Dark Materials is a richly complex story, filled with thought provoking ideas,” Beverly said. “It has enchanted readers with its vivid descriptions and original concepts, and inspired some truly original discussion. It is a book that encourages children to think about ideas, and is a wonderful book for parents and children to talk about together.”
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
“Scary stories has been around for a long time,” Strunk said. “People love scary stories. For a while we couldn’t even keep them on the shelves.”
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
“I loved [this book],” Ketzer said. “It was very different from anything else I’ve ever read, but I can’t honestly think of any reason it should be banned. It’s not a book for children or young teens merely because they wouldn’t be interested in the subject matter.”
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
8. Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hossein
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper
—By Michelle Stoffel, Triblocal.com reporter
