A Note from THE BOOK REVIEW EDITOR ~ LAURA ROESCH
Submit your book review for consideration to: Laura@panamacityliving.com
With the end of each summer reading season, there is a stark reminder that choosing freely from a wide array of literature is a privilege. Among all the author and book celebrations, one event calls to mind that censorship has existed right alongside the existence of books. Every year in September, “Banned Books Week” is recognized and draws attention to the freedom to read. The annual event was called to life in 1982 and is sponsored by several national and international organizations.
The Banned Books Week Coalition is an organization that works to ensure unfettered access to information with the goal of condemning censorship and keeping information available to the public, no matter how unpopular or unorthodox. The top-100 list of banned or challenged books in 2000-2009 includes some of the most beloved works and most successful contemporary authors of our time. Number one is the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou are also included in the top ten. In 2017 there were 416 books banned or challenged, including “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher and “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. The coalition and its supporting agencies and organizations receive information from the media, schools, and libraries nationwide. It reports efforts to challenge or ban books are made along predictable lines such as race, religion, sex, and violence.
More books are challenged than are banned. The concept of banning a book is unfathomable to me. I well remember reading “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (#49 on the top 100 list) at the age of 14. My grandfather initially questioned whether I was mature enough. He decided I should be permitted to read it. What I remember most, besides the vividly described character, Nurse Ratched, is that it was my first experience with the concept of censorship. I read it, discussed it with my grandparents, and then moved on to the next one, which happened to be “The Sterile Cuckoo,” by John Nichols. Another book arguably above my age level. I do not recall much about it now, except for the quirkiness of the main character named Pookie. With the benefit of hindsight, both books were perhaps advanced for my age level. I wonder, which came first, emotional maturity or reading maturity. No doubt, each informed the other and I am convinced I am a better reader for these experiences. Clearly, certain books might be too mature, or even disturbing, for some readers. I believe the conversation and following decisions should be made individually.
Good intentions are surely at play when a collective decides to deny others access to a book. Is it simplistic to suggest that if one is offended by a topic, just don’t read the book? Close it. Donate it or put it in recycling. Done. If the parent of a child is monitoring what the child is or should be reading and feels a certain book is inappropriate for whatever reason, why impose this disinterest or distaste in a particular book on others? While it is my opinion that challenging a book should not be more than expressing an opinion or point of view, if the book gets banned, this type of censorship imposes a restriction on another’s freedom to read.
Will a child’s exposure to controversial topics make the child more vulnerable or more educated and prepared? I believe the latter to be true. The list of banned books is listed in ALA’s database – find more resources here: http://bannedbooksweek.org/resources . Are there books in your life that were questionable or challenging reading material at the time or stretched your imagination? Isn’t that what it means to live a well-read life?
Send me an email; I would love to hear about your bookish memories!
Submit your book review for consideration to: Laura@panamacityliving.com
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