One final thought on Banned Books Week

As the sun is setting on this year's Banned Books Week Celebrations, I am reminded that challenges and bannings of books continue throughout the year and need out attention and support at all times.  I truly believe that authors who set out to write a great book did not sit around thinking about whether or not their book would be banned.  On the contrary, truly great books are challenged or banned because an author did his/her job effectively.   They were willing to write the story that needed to be told and not to worry about who might be threatened by it.  Instead, they found the courage to share in an authentic manner some aspect of real life that someone would rather not have come to people's attention. 

Vroman's Banned Books Wall

Whether it be books by Judy Blume, Roald Dahl, or Katherine Paterson on the Middle Grade level and Ellen Hopkins, or Laurie Halse Anderson on the YA level, these authors and others like them have made a significant contribution to the lives of children and teens all over.  Their candid, gritty, no holds barred writing styles are embraced by readers young and old alike. 

In conclusion, I just wanted to share a few final links with you.  For those of you who love author Katherine Paterson, I have done a Guest Post over on Mundie Kids.  I explore my thoughts as to why I think she has been one author that is frequently challenged.  To read the post, click here.

Over the past few weeks, I have been awed by the tremendous work of Paul W. Hankins (High School English Teacher) along with authors Laurie Halse Anderson, Sarah Ockler, David Macinnes Gill and many other teachers, librarians, and authors in promoting #SpeakLoudly.  Paul and David have put up a new website called Speak Loudly: Many Voices, One Community.  If you haven't had a chance to check it out, I would encourage you to take a peak.  It will keep you coming back for more.

To conclude Banned Books Week, I want to hear about challenged or banned books that you have read recently and what impact they have had on you.  I will do a random drawing from all those who have left a comment about a favorite Challenged/Banned books & how it impacted you. The winner will receive a free book of his/her choice ($15 U.S. dollars or less) from Amazon or Book Depository.  Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. PDT on October 5, 2010.