wildaspie

There’s an email going around that’s presented as a list of books VP-hopeful Palin wanted to ban. Turns out the list (as presented) is “just” a list of books that have been banned or challenged (meaning a request was made to ban them) as recorded by the American Library Association^ (ala.org^ ).

Me, I read “banned” books. Some books, I agree, have no place in grade school libraries (”A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess, as an example). But others - like the Harry Potter series - you’ve got to be kidding me. I can understand the discomfort of a strict Christian parent concerned that the content might lure a child into “the dark arts,” but let’s be rational a moment. The kid is *reading* for *pleasure*. With all of the competition literacy has for a kid’s attention nowadays, let them read whatever they want, as long as they are reading! If you’re really worried, try reading the book yourself first, and if you *really* find it objectionable, go to the library or bookstore and find something better.

Anyway, the Annual Banned Books Week is coming up! Bloggers are often (not always) readers too, so please get the word out.

Celebrating the Freedom to Read:
September 27–October 4, 2008
(link goes to ALA’s Banned Books Week homepage)

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