Banned Books Week 2018
Jessica Riedmueller
Help us celebrate the Freedom to Read during Banned Books Week, September 23-29!
Did you know? The banned books aren't actually banned. Rather, they are challenged by those who seek to remove the book or to restrict access to the information within it. At the heart of the library's core beliefs is the fundamental right of everyone to freely seek information, express ideas, and hold beliefs that may be unorthodox or unpopular. We resist efforts to censor materials, even those that are well-intentioned.
Join us! The English department will host public readings of banned books. Sign-up for a 5 minute slot in the English department office on the 2nd floor of Irby. In addition, we have a Banned Books display in the library where you can check out books that have been challenged in libraries, bookstores, and schools across the country.
Want to know more? You can read past lists of frequently challenged books compiled by the ALA (American Library Association) Office for Intellectual Freedom. More info about the Banned Books Week movement can be found at https://bannedbooksweek.org/.
To give you an idea of the types of challenges that arise, here are the Top Ten Challenged Books of 2017 (list and descriptions courtesy of ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom in partnership with the Banned Books Week Coalition).
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Call Number: Not available at UCA
Originally published in 2007, this New York Times bestseller has resurfaced as a controversial book after Netflix aired a TV series by the same name. This YA novel was challenged and banned in multiple school districts because it discusses suicide.
Drama by Raina Telgemeier (Illustrator)
Call Number: 741.5 Tel
This Stonewall Honor Award-winning, 2012 graphic novel from an acclaimed cartoonist was challenged and banned in school libraries because it includes LGBT characters and was considered “confusing.”
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Call Number: PS3608.O832 K58 2004
This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”
George by Álex Gino
Call Number: Fic Gin
Written for elementary-age children, this Lambda Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.
Sex Is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg; Fiona Smyth (Artist)
Call Number: Not available at UCA
This 2015 informational children’s book written by a certified sex educator was challenged because it addresses sex education and is believed to lead children to “want to have sex or ask questions about sex.”
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Call Number: PS3562.E353 T6 2002
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an American classic, was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Call Number: PZ7.1.T448 Hat 2017
This title is currently on Textbook Reserve and can only be checked out for two hours in the library.
Despite winning multiple awards and being the most searched-for book on Goodreads during its debut year, this YA novel was challenged and banned in school libraries and curriculums because it was considered “pervasively vulgar” and because of drug use, profanity, and offensive language.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson; Peter Parnell; Henry Cole (Illustrator)
Call Number: Not available at UCA
Returning after a brief hiatus from the Top Ten Most Challenged list, this ALA Notable Children’s Book, published in 2005, was challenged and labeled because it features a same-sex relationship.
Thirteen Reasons Why by
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by
Drama by
The Kite Runner by
George by
Sex Is a Funny Word by
To Kill a Mockingbird by
The Hate U Give by
And Tango Makes Three by
I Am Jazz by
