Banned Book Week 2008

September 27-October 4, 2008

Banned Book Week was established in 1982 in order to raise awareness of the number of books that are challenged in schools, libraries and bookstores every year. Books are challenged by individuals or groups who feel the books are too sexual, violent, profane; think the books offensively portray racial or religious groups; and even think the books portray homosexuals positively.

The following is a list of the top 10 most challenged books in 2007 according to the American Library Association:

1. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
2. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
3. Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
7. TTYL by Lauren Myracle
8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
9. It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I decided to celebrate my freedom to read by reading two books from this list during Banned Book Week. I selected And Tango Makes Three, a picture book by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole and the young adult novel, Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes, both of which I borrowed from the public library one day last week. I specifically chose And Tango Makes Three because it was the single most challenged book in 2007 and also because since it is a picture boo, it would be an easy book for every member of my family to read and discuss together. This was obviously also an opportunity to explain the concept of banned books to our daughters, why people feel books should be banned, and why it is so important to celebrate their freedom to read every day.

And Tango Makes Three is a picture book whose story is based on a true story about two male penguins named Roy and Silo in the Central Park Zoo in New York City who together, care for an abandoned egg and the baby penguin that hatches from it. It is a simple story with the simple message that there are all kinds of happy, loving families in the world.

I have to say it's a good feeling when your nine year older finds absolutely nothing wrong with a baby having two fathers and doesn't quite understand why someone wouldn't want to read this sweet story about a baby penguin being cared for and loved by its parents.

I have to say it's also a good feeling when your thirteen year old is shocked and outraged to learn that anyone would even suggest to ban any book from schools, libraries or bookstores simply because they disapprove of its content.

To find out more about Banned Books Week, visit the American Library Association HERE or The Banned Books Week website HERE.

Here is a picture of me reading And Tango Makes Three with my daughter:
Look for a post on my thoughts on Olive's Ocean later this week. Now its your turn. 

Celebrate your First Amendment rights and read a banned book!