Celebrating Freedom of Speech
It's a great time to revisit some old classics as well as familiarize yourself with some new titles.
I hope you'll take some time during the month of September and throughout the year to enjoy a banned book.
Is it o.k. to ban books?
Forvever by Judy Blume
Forever . . .
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 11/08/2009)
It seems like you can't grow up a teenager without having a healthy dose of Judy Blume mixed in. This is one of her more controversial novels because of its blatant teenage sexuality. It was published in 1975 and is still a popular and somewhat "romantic" read.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
The Awakening
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 11/08/2009)
Can you imagine "vulgar language, sexual explicitness, or violent imagery that is gratuitously employed" in a novel first published in 1899? That's what happens when a 28 year old mother of two decided not to conform to society's (and her husband's) expectations of a woman's duties. It's too bad that Chopin never got to enjoy the success of this literary work. This was her last novel and while today she is described as an "exquisite" writer, she had to virtually become a hermit in her time for the backlash it caused. She was clearly a woman and writer before her time.
Geography Club by Brent Hartinger
Geography Club
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 11/08/2009)
Nothing has been more controversial than sexuality; especially if goes against perceived societal norms. This young reader about gay teens was published in 2004 and followed a young boy's journey to prove to himself he wasn't alone. It's hard to believe something that was published so recently would be challenged.
"...One flew east, one flew west,
One flew over the cuckoo's nest."
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Penguin Classics)
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 11/08/2009)
This 1962 novel still stands strong after forty years. Even the movie (1975), starring Jack Nicholson, is still one of the best made films. Kesey brought love and compassion into an area of life that most of society had closed the door on, the mental ward. He gave faces, personalities, hopes, dreams, fears and voices to these characters. Despite being considered an "American classic," this novel never won any awards.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Perennial Modern Classics)
Amazon Price: $10.87 (as of 11/08/2009)
This racially charged novel was published in 1960. It's narrated by the daughter of Atticus Fitch, a lawyer, who defends a black man charged for raping a young white child. Harper, who was born in Louisiana, has deep roots in the south which she brought to her writing. She won a Pulitzer Prize for this novel. It was made into a movie starring Gregory Peck in 1962. Celebrate both!
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (To Kill a Mockingbird)
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Giver
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/08/2009)
Twelve year Jonas is being given a gift from the "Giver," the knowledge of what life was like before their current utopia. He is to carry this knowledge in case it is ever needed in the future. Once received, he realizes that he can not go on living the way he had. This 1993 novel about a "dystopian" society won the Newberry Medal in 1994.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Bluest Eye (Oprah's Book Club)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/08/2009)
This debut novel was first published in 1970. In it's minute it is about a pubescent black girl's desire to be pretty and those around her who refuse to let her believe it. Eleven year old Pecola dreams of having blue eyes. She's learned that only beautiful people are treated well. And in her mind, to be beautiful she must have blue eyes. Oprah picked this book as part of her book club in 2000. Morrison has produced other racially charged and well received novels like Beloved which was made into a movie in 1998. Morrison won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993 for her body of work.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: 10th Anniversary Edition (Harry Potter)
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 11/08/2009)
Imagine all the kids (and adults) who wouldn't be reading if J.K. hadn't written and published this book (and subsequent ones) about a lovable young sorcerer and his friends. This book was published in 1997 (hard to believe isn't it) and has remained on the best sellers list ever since.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye
Amazon Price: $9.87 (as of 11/08/2009)
This book was published in 1951 and despite being constantly attacked for its profanity and sexuality it has managed to maintain a consistent best seller status and cult following. Salinger took a few days from a 16 year old's life and made it interesting to adults and their children.
"Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules." (The Catcher in the Rye)
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 11/08/2009)
This well known literary classic was first published in 1884, eight years after its predecessor, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In this adventure Huck travels with an escaped slave named Jim. It's been attacked for its "language" and "grammar" despite its realistic imagery of historical racial conflict and friendship beyond color.
More Books
Is there something you think should be added to the list below? Then by all means use the "add" feature at the bottom of the list.
Don't forget to vote for your favorite books.
Important Links Regarding Banned (& Challenged) Books
The Forbidden Library: Banned and Challenged Books
Books and literature targeted for censorship or ba more...0 points
The Beacon for freedom of expression project
International database on censorship of books and more...0 points
Banned Book & Censorship Resources
These pages comprise an extensive, organized, and more...0 points
Banned Books Week
Amnesty International USA.0 points
Enslow Publishers, Inc – Publishing the Best K-12 Nonfiction Books!
The mission of Enslow Publishers, Inc., is to publ more...0 points
Banned Books Guestbook
Tell us about your favorite books or just say hello.
It's all good.
lostinfiction wrote...
I've noticed that a lot of banned books are usually the most thought-provoking ones. I'm surprised though that they are outright banned, as opposed to the film industry which also produces highly controversial and graphic content but merely get by with an age-appropriate ratings system. You can read a more detailed post about it at http://infloox.wordpress.com/ and it also includes a list of the ALA's recently published top banned books. Definitely some food for thought...
Posted October 08, 2009
JenOfChicago wrote...
Seems to me that the banned books are always the best books.
Posted September 01, 2009
BrooklynShoeBabe wrote
The banning of books is a slippery slope. It can lead to self-censorship and the closing of the fair exchange of ideas. Banning, even when you think you're doing good, can cause harm.
Posted April 05, 2009
EaglePress22 wrote...
The problem seems to be that the discussion of certain issues generates fear in some people when most writers are really only attempting to promote awareness. To me, for that reason, books should only be banned in extreme cases.
Aberjhani
Posted November 14, 2008
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