If you're involved in the book community at all, I'm sure you've heard that Banned Books Week is here! It started on Monday the 23rd and goes until the 29th. All this week, we are celebrating the freedom to read as well as raising awareness for books that have been challenged over the last decades. This year specifically, the theme is “Banning Books Silences Stories,” which is a reminder that everyone needs to speak out against the tide of censorship.
Books might be banned for all sorts of reasons, whether it's considered anti-religious, has foul language, or is unsuitable for specific age groups. Unfortunately, this practice restricts us access to some of the best novels and educational resources ever written. You'll find reviews of some of these books here -- A Wrinkle in Time, 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale have all been banned. Plus, some of my all time favorites, including the Harry Potter series, A Prayer For Owen Meany and To Kill a Mockingbird, are repeat offenders. Of course, I still recommend them all wholeheartedly!
Thank you to Invaluable for creating and sharing this wonderful infographic of books that have been banned in the United States (also below). It includes modern favorites, classics, YA and children's books -- nothing is safe from the banned books list!
Are you surprised about any that made the list? What are some of your favorite banned books?
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