Banned Books Week

It's Banned Books Week! So, here at SFCT I'm observing it by highlighting a few of my favorite blacklisted children's books.

Remember we have the freedom to read. Read banned books.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. was banned in Texas because of author name confusion. The other banned Bill Martin wrote a book on Marxism, so the Texas Board of Education banned all books under that name. Unfortunately, Bill Martin Jr. died in 2004 and therefore was unable to defend himself, so the children of Texas were banned from their beloved bear.

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, was constantly banned in the 90's due to the  "book's treatment of suicide and euthanasia". Other banned books by Lowry include Anastasia Krupnik and Anastasia at Your Service.

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl has been challenged in the past for "containing mild profanity and depicting positive anti-authority behavior and cruel aunts." Other banned books by Dahl include The Witches and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle has been challenged for witchcraft and not being Christian enough?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling... the #1 most challenged book (and series) of the decade for witchcraft, being a bad example, and being too scary.

Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak. Where The Wild Things Are for being "too frightening" and "too dark" and In the Night Kitchen for a nakie nake baby.

A Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. A Light in the Attic was banned for inappropriate content and because it encouraged children to "break dishes instead of washing them", Where the Sidewalk Ends for "suggests drug use, the occult, suicide, death, violence, disrespect for truth, disrespect for legitimate authority, rebellion against parents", and The Giving Tree for being sexist. Bah!

Other challenged and banned favs include:

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White because it has talking animals.

Bridge to Terabithia and The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson for profanity and witchcraft and

Goosebumps by R.L. Stine are too scary.

Where's Waldo by Martin Hanford for this "revealing" imagery.

Captain Underpants by Dave Pilkey

Hatchet by Gary Paulson for being to descriptive.

Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh for it's anti-authoritative message.

What banned book do you hold close to your heart?

For further reading, check out the ALA's website for the lowdown on banned and challenged books, the official Banned Books Week website, and also the Lawrence Public Library's facebook page for a week-long celebration of banned books.

Image Sources: book sign, Brown Bear, The Giver, James and the Giant Peach, Wrinkle in Time, Harry Potter, Wild Things, Light in the Attic

Article Sources: here, here, here, here, here,  here, here here, and here