Read a Banned Book. Now

Though a whisper of controversy caresses Banned Books Week this year, the spirit of the beast remains untouched. From the American Library Association’s Web site:

First observed in 1982, Banned Books Week reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.

Nor does the ALA go it alone:

The event is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Library of Congress Center for the Book.

The list of most challenged books of last year is full of great reading material, making it super easy to find a challenged book to choose. The list includes And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, “for homosexuality, anti-family, and unsuited to age group;” both The Bluest Eye and Beloved by Toni Morrison “for sexual content, offensive language, and unsuited to age group;” and The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier “for sexual content, offensive language, and violence.”

This year, Banned Book Week runs from September 29 to October 6, 2007. To find an event in your area, check out the ILoveLibraries.org BBW Events Finder here.