Banned Book Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is an effort to bring awareness to the practice of banning or challenging books. Here in the United States, these challenges usually present as someone claiming a book is inappropriate for a school or public library due to:
- sexual content
- graphic violence
- references to witchcraft or magic
- racial slurs
- defiance of adults/authority figures
- conflicts with the values of the community
- negative portrayal of women
- scaring a kindergartner
- portrayals of homosexuality
Well, the list goes on and on. You can read more about banned and challenged books in the U.S. by checking out our copy of Banned Books: 2004 Resource Guide.
K-State's English Department is sponsoring a banned book read-out this week in Bosco Plaza. Sadly, today's weather rained us out. I was all set to read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, especially since the book begins with a huge storm. However, the weather looks good for the rest of week. We also have a display on Hale's 2nd floor, near the Help Desk, with books from our collection that have been banned or challenged elsewhere.
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