by Katherine Decker, Head of Circulation
It’s that time of year again. October 5 – 11, is ALA’s annual Banned Books Week. This year’s theme is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” The right to read belongs to all of us and we must defend our rights and shoe that censorship has no place in society. George Orwell’s 1984 is a cautionary tale and serves as a warning about the dangers of censorship. While the topic may get brought up several times throughout the year, this designated week provides the opportunity to discuss and rally behind the opposition of banning books. For several years now, the ALA has spearheaded this campaign in an effort to combat the ever growing rhetoric that supports literary censorship and book bans.
Banned Books Week was established in 1982 after a surge of book challenges took place in schools, libraries and bookstores.
During National Library Week, ALA releases the Top 10 Most Challenged Books list and the State of America’s Libraries report. Organized movements now originate the majority of book censorship attempts. You can read about more information on banned books on the ALA website. Then, come stop by the Lynnfield Public Library and consider checking one out (you might be surprised by how many you recognize).
The current list of top 10 banned books, according to the ALA:
1. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
2. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
3 (Tie). The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
3 (Tie). The Perks of Being a Wallflowerby Stephen Chbosky
5. Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
6 (Tie). Looking for Alaska by John Green
6 (Tie). Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
8 (Tie). Crank by Ellen Hopkins
8 (Tie). Sold by Patricia McCormick
10. Flamer by Mike Curato