I Read Banned Books

This week to show my support, I will be wearing my "I Read Banned Books" bracelet: 

Banned books week is a time to celebrate our freedom to be able to read whatever book we choose and to able to get access to these books. Many of the challenges/bans that happen in the US are on young adult books which are deemed "unsuitable to age group" and were probably challenged by a parent. As a teacher, I completely understand the right to protect your own child from whatever you want to protect them from and that some books are more appropriate for different ages; however, I will never understand the need to try to push these beliefs onto others by completely banning a book in a library, school or city. 

I wanted to share with you some of my favorite challenged books - some you will recognize and some may be new to you (click on the book cover to go to its Goodreads page), but they are all books that should be accessible to those who want to read them. 

1. ttyl  (series) by Lauren Myracle
   Reasons for challenges: offensive language; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group
   
   
2. Hunger Games (series) by Suzanne Collins
   Reasons for challenges: anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence
   
   
3. What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
   Reasons for challenges: nudity; offensive language; sexually explicit
   
   
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
   Reasons for challenges: offensive language; racism
   
   
5. Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
   Reasons for challenges: offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group
   
   
6. Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
   Reasons for challenges: Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit
   
   
7. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
   Reasons for challenges: homosexuality and offensive language
   
   
8. Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey
   Reasons for challenges: anti-family content, unsuited to age group, violence
   
   
9. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
   Reasons for challenges: nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit
   
   
10. Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling
    Reasons for challenges: occult/Satanism
    
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11. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
    Reasons for challenges: offensive language
    
    
12. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
    Reasons for challenges: occult/Satanism, offensive language
    
    
13. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
    Reasons for challenges: drugs
    
    
14. Crank (series) by Ellen Hopkins
    Reasons for challenges: drugs, offensive language, and sexually explicit
    
    
15. Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry (series) by Mildred D. Taylor
    Reasons for challenges: offensive language
    
    

   Honorary (I haven't read it yet, but want to!). And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin

          Richardson

          Reasons for challenges: homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group

Banned book week is celebrating its 30th birthday, 

so celebrate their birthday by not forgetting to speak up and read often!