My New Reading List

It’s almost Banned Books Week! I believe Athena did a post on these issues awhile back, but this seems timely now as well. The week from September 24 through October 1, 2005 has been designated as a week to celebrate intellectual freedom and resist censorship.

This is my kind of celebration.

You can find the American Library Association’s proclamation here. My favorite parts are these:

WHEREAS, every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of American society and leaves it less able to deal with controversy and difference, and
….

WHEREAS, Americans still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression, and can be trusted to exercise critical judgment, to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe, and to exercise the responsibilities that accompany this freedom; and
….

WHEREAS, conformity limits the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend….

The ALA observes that challenges to books are usually made with “the best intentions – to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information.” The top three reasons, in order, for challenges to a particular book are 1) because the book allegedly contains sexually explicit material, 2) offensive language, or 3) because the challenger believes it is unsuitable for a particular age group.

Well, this year it’s the gay folks getting people all worked up. There’s a surprise.

Three of the ten most challenged books of 2005 were cited for “homosexual themes,” the highest number in a decade. The ten most challenged books of 2004, in order, were:

"The Chocolate War" [by Robert Cormier] for sexual content, offensive language, religious viewpoint, being unsuited to age group and violence

"Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers, for racism, offensive language and violence

"Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture" by Michael A. Bellesiles, for inaccuracy and political viewpoint

Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey, for offensive language and modeling bad behavior

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, for homosexuality, sexual content and offensive language

"What My Mother Doesn't Know" by Sonya Sones,for sexual content and offensive language

"In the Night Kitchen" by Maurice Sendak, for nudity and offensive language

"King & King" by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland, for homosexuality

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, for racism, homosexuality, sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group

"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, for racism, offensive language and violence

The list of 100 most challenged books from 1990-2000 contains the usual suspects, including "Catcher in the Rye," "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," "The Handmaid’s Tale," and "Heather Has Two Mommies." But frankly, I’m stumped by "James and the Giant Peach" and "How to Eat Fried Worms." Maybe it’s just been so long since I’ve read them that I can’t recall what’s landed them on the most challenged list.

As for authors, I don’t think Judy Blume could write a grocery list that wouldn’t get her into trouble. Blume and her books are a consistent presence on the “challenged” lists, as is Toni Morrison.

The website has more.

So, Happy Banned Books Week to you all! And remember, if “they” don’t want you reading it, maybe you should be.