Banned Books Week ~ September 25th-October 2nd

There’s not a lot that goes on that I get myself involved in online, but here is one cause I must speak out for, though I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about it already on other book blogs.

It’s Banned Books Week September 25th-October 2nd, and man did the controversy start flying before the week even started. Thanks to Scroggins and his opinions, which he has shared with the masses, on Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and several other books, a huge response has occurred among book bloggers. I personally haven’t read Speak yet or the others mentioned, but don’t worry, I now intend to do so. Good job Scroggins!

The wonderful opinions on the books from all the book bloggers I know has me itching to get my hands on them. If you want to know more about what was said, Laurie Halse Anderson wrote a response on her blog about Speak, Scroggins (and his referral of rape as “soft-core pornography”, yes he really did) and ways to get involved in supporting books and speaking out against censorship. Jackie Morse Kessler wrote a very informative post as well, right HERE.

Are you like me and now interested in reading Speak or know someone else who is? There are a few contests going on for it and other banned/challenged books:

• Mundie Moms- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Burned by Ellen Hopkins, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, and The Absolutely-True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Enter by September 26, 2010. (International)
• Book Faery- 2 copies of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Contest ends September 30, 2010. (International where the Book Depository ships)
• Sarah's Book Reviews- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Contest ends September 30, 2010. (International)
• LA FEMME READERS- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Contest ends October 1, 2010. (International)
• The Bookish Type- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. Enter by October 2, 2010. (International where Book Depository delivers)
• Bea’s Book Nook- 2 copies of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson & choice of any book from the ALA’s list of banned and challenged books up to $10US. Enter by October 2, 2010. (?)
• The Bookologist- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Enter by October 3, 2010. (International)
• The Book Swarm- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, TTYL by Lauren Myracle, Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes, and Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher. Enter by October 3, 2010. (Intenational)
• Wicked Awesome Books- Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. Enter by October 3, 2010. (International wherever the Book Depository ships)
• Mindful Musings- Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. Enter by October 3, 2010. (International wherever the Book Depository ships)

Find more at Mindful Musings post about Banned Books & Speak w/ links to contests, posts by authors & bloggers, and articles.

 

Keep updated on Twitter through twitter feed #SpeakLoudly

 

Steph Su Reads is having a Banned Books Reading Challenge.

 

Check out Banned Book Week Events in your state! http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/events.php

 

There doesn’t seem to be much going on locally for me, but a local run website has a good, informative article with stats and the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books of 2000-2009. You can check that out HERE. They also have been posting info on banned books almost every day throughout September. Go HERE if you want to check that out.

 

What do you all think of all this? What is your favorite banned/challenged book?