i am not a bookworm!: Banned/Challenged Books Reading Challenge 2017

I am joining this challenge because the non-conformist and the rebel in me just couldn't let this pass. I like going against the stereotype. Also, knowing that a book was banned makes me more curious and interested to read the book. I want to know why it was banned and if the contents were really what it was banned for. I also love reading controversial books.

So, here goes. Let's see how many banned books I could find. If you want to join and indulge that rebel side in you. Here are the rules.

This is hosted by Book Dragon's Lair. Click on the link to join the challenge.

Basics: Read books that have been banned or challenged. Or you could read non-fiction books about censorship and/or banning books.

Details: There are different type of fires and stages within those fires so that's what I'm using for levels.

Reviews would be amazing, even if it's just telling someone about the book you read. Or if you're like me and most don't want to hear about another book, just write something up on GoodReads or LibraryThing. Or, you know, write a review for your blog ;-) Either way, I'll have a linky set up for your thoughts. Not sure if it will be monthly, quarterly, or yearly.

Checking the books out of the library shows them that these books matter and they should continue to buy banned/challenged books for the library. Buying the books shows the publishers that they're worth publishing and tells the author thanks. Whichever way to do it, just read.

Levels:

Read 1 book. You are an Ember. You're small but mighty just waiting to burn the structure down.
Read 2-6 books. You are Creeping. You're burning with a low flame and spreading slowly.
Read 7-12 books. You are a Blow-up fire. Sudden increase in fire intensity strong enough to upset control plans
Read 13+ books. You are Uncontrolled. Any fire which threatens to destroy life, property, or natural resources.

Why: Censorship has been going on for a long time and it is alive and well in this day and age. I believe in watching what my children read (when they're young) but I'm not going to tell you what your child can read and I'm not going to allow you to tell me what my child can read.

It has been reported that parents will ask to have a book taken off their child's classroom reading list when they haven't even read the book!

Where do I find out if a book has been banned: The American Library Association has lists. Lots of lists. I'm sure other countries do as well but I haven't looked them up yet. The ala does has a Banned Books Week every year so we'll do a read-a-thon in September at the same time.

What is the difference between banned and challenged? A simplified answer: A book must be challenged before it can be banned. A challenged book goes through the process but it left on the shelves or in the classroom. A banned book is removed. The American Library Association (ala.org) has Top Ten list per year of the report they receive. Most of the children's books challenged are because they are "unsuited for age group". I personally feel they make the parent uncomfortable.

Here are a few of the challenge books that I am familiar with. Some of these I have read and some I have watched the movie. I may have to read again some of these titles and come up with a review and give my opinion if it is right that these books were challenge for the reasons given. We'll see if I could actually finished my list. I may also add some more to the list.

Items highlighted in yellow are books I have read and will soon post a review on them. Checked boxes mean they have been read and reviewed.

☐ Looking for Alaska, by John Green

Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group

☐ Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James

Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and other (“poorly written,” “concerns that a group of teenagers will want to try it”)

☐ The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

Reasons: offensive language, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group, and other (“profanity and atheism”)

☐ The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini

Reasons: offensive language, unsuited to age group, violence

☐ The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky

Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “date rape and masturbation”

☐ The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

Reasons: religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group

☐ Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher

Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited for age group

☐ To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Reasons: offensive language, racism

☐ Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer

Reasons: religious viewpoint, violence

☐ The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

☐ My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult

Reasons: homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence