Here at bookstorepeople.com, Kim and I love when people contact us with worthy book-related causes they want to bring to the attention of our readership. Rachael Holley, an intern at ABFFE (The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression), asked us to help her spread the word about Banned Books Week. Although it won’t take place until the fall, it’s crucial to start planning your involvement early, as Rachael explains below. We will, of course, remind everyone when Banned Books Week arrives. The rest of this post is Rachael’s:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The Catcher in the Rye. Harry Potter.
Every one of these books is a literary treasure, and yet as recently as 2008 these books have been challenged for “offensive language, racism, sexuality, and anti-religious viewpoints.” What if you and your kids couldn’t read about your favorite Wizard at the public library? Or your local high school banned Mark Twain from its curriculum?
This year, take a stand against censorship. Join the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the American Library Association (ALA) in celebrating Banned Books Week 2009. From September 26 to October 3, independent bookstores across the country can host events, displays, and speakers that promote anti-censorship and raise awareness about the reality of book banning in the United States.
Start preparing now. If you are a bookseller, you can host banned book readings, hang posters and sell T-shirts, or simply make a display about banned books and why it is necessary to preserve every person’s right to read. If you’re a reader, start educating yourself about banned books, if there have been challenges in your hometown, and how you can get your local independent bookstores involved.
For lists of banned books, display ideas, and “fREADom” product order forms, visit our website . To register your store’s events and other resources, check out http://www.bannedbooksweek.org.
Whatever your involvement, take a stand–defend your right to read.
The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is the bookseller’s voice in the fight against censorship. We oppose restrictions on the freedom of speech; issue statements on significant free expression controversies; participate in legal cases involving First Amendment rights; collaborate with other groups with an interest in free speech; and provide education about the importance of free expression.
Tags: book banning, bookstore
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Activity idea: a couple of years ago Duttons Bookstore hosted an essay writing contest for kids asking them to review a banned book. Both of my kids entered and won (a little mother bragging moment), but more importantly it led to discussions about why books shouldn’t be banned, even ones I wouldn’t read.
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Intresting ideas. People should have hold on what there kids read, bcuase banning books DOES affect the authors/publishes income. THink about it.
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WOW my name is Claire too! I also agree with you because shielding kids minds from apparent “innapropriate” material is wrong. If you think its bad, DONT READ IT!
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i think banning books is stupid. kids aren’t learning things from books, theyre learning it from peers and parents, being a student myself. i think the books that dont have a little voulgarism suck because theyre not real life, im not saying we need books where people are getting shot here and stabbed there, but whats the difference if they say “damn” or something?
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