September 23-29, 2018 is Banned Books Week. The 2018 theme is “Banning Books Silences Stories. Speak Out!” Censorship succeeds when no one talks about the issues.
It’s unfortunate that books are banned and challenged. Every year for Banned Books Week we like to share some media and raise awareness. We here at Chapterbreak are not fans of others deciding what we can or cannot read. Everyone should be free to read what they want.
Go read these books people! And then discuss the books with other readers! And be sure to post your review!
Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association, ala.org/bbooks/NLW-Top10
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2017:
- [easyazon_link identifier=”159514188X” locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]Thirteen Reasons Why[/easyazon_link] written by Jay Asher – because it discusses suicide.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”0316013692″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian[/easyazon_link]written by Sherman Alexie – because of profanity and situations that were deemed sexually explicit.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”0545326990″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]Drama[/easyazon_link]written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier – because it includes LGBT characters and was considered “confusing.”
- [easyazon_link identifier=”159463193X” locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]The Kite Runner[/easyazon_link] written by Khaled Hosseini – because it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”
- [easyazon_link identifier=”0545812577″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]George[/easyazon_link] written by Alex Gino – because it includes a transgender child.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”1609806069″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]Sex is a Funny Word[/easyazon_link] written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth – because it addresses sex education and is believed to lead children to “want to have sex or ask questions about sex.”
- [easyazon_link identifier=”0060935464″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]To Kill a Mockingbird[/easyazon_link] written by Harper Lee – because of violence and its use of the N-word.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”0062872346″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]The Hate U Give[/easyazon_link]written by Angie Thomas – because it was considered “pervasively vulgar” and because of drug use, profanity, and offensive language.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”1481446959″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]And Tango Makes Three[/easyazon_link] written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole – because it features a same-sex relationship.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”0803741073″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]I Am Jazz[/easyazon_link] written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas – because it addresses gender identity.
