I Double-Dog Dare You to Read This: Banned Books Week

I didn’t realize there was such a thing as “Banned Books Week” until a friend of mine posted the link below on her Facebook page.

Apparently, the American Library Association started Banned Books Week to bring to light the problem of censorship and, as stated on their website, to promote the “freedom to read.” This article brings up many good points and is worth a quick read regardless of how you feel about your children reading books about wizardry, witchcraft, religion, or vampires. I think the most important points in the article are that children should be able to choose what they want to read, parents need to be aware of what’s out there to help guide them, and most importantly there needs to be discussions around the dinner table about what’s being read.

http://www.edutopia.org/banned-books-week

If you are not aware of it, Banned Book Week is taking place right now—from September 24–October 1. If you’re interested in learning more about Banned Books Week, visit the following websites:

http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

How do you feel about censoring literature in school libraries?

Jackie Jacobs is a curriculum developer at Developmental Studies Center.