What is Banned Books Week?
An annual event usually held in September, Banned Books Week is a time to celebrate and promote the freedom to read.
Why are books challenged and banned?
Books are usually challenged and banned when they contain information or ideas that one group considers dangerous or harmful for another group. For example, oftentimes parents will challenge books in order to protect children from what they deem to be "inappropriate" content, whether this is in the form of topics or language. The ALA gives the top three reasons for challenging materials as:
1. This One Summer written by Mariko Tamaki; illustrated by Jillian Tamaki
2. Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
3. George written by Alex Gino
4. I Am Jazz written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings; illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
5. Two Boys Kissing written by David Levithan
6. Looking for Alaska written by John Green
7. Big Hard Sex Criminals written by Matt Fraction; illustrated by Chip Zdarsky
8. Make Something Up: Stories You Can't Unread written by Chuck Plahniuk
9. Little Bill (series) written by Bill Cosby; illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood
10. Eleanor & Park written by Rainbow Rowell