HAPPY BANNED BOOK WEEK!!!!

I love Banned Book Week! I love the stories behind why someone would want a book banned. People become so passionate about stories and that my friends is the magic of reading! I like to feel cool that I have read a book that is on the list! Mostly people are trying to protect children and demand censorship! But I think that sometimes it's fun to have a little shock to your system! So to celebrate I'm going to list eleven favorite "banned" books! Why eleven? Why not! I'll tell you why I love them and why they were banned! Or I just want to shock ya a bit! Either way we'll have some fun!

#1 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 

Hello amazing book! This one ranks on the top 10 books of all time list!  I don't know how you can't fall in love with Scout, Jem, Boo Radley and of course the amazing Atticus Finch. “To Kill a Mockingbird” ranks among the true classics of modern American literature and explores complex themes of justice and compassion. It has also faced significant controversy due to its consideration of challenging issues such as rape and racial inequality. In 1995, the book was challenged in Moss Point, MS and at the Santa Cruz, CA Schools because of its racial themes. It was removed from the Southwood High School Library in Caddo Parish, LA that same year, because its language and content were found objectionable. “To Kill a Mockingbird” received the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and Harper Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007. 







#2 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Only one of the best books of all time! Beginning with “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” published in 1997, this series of seven novels dominated both bestseller lists and the imaginations of readers across the globe. At the same time, controversy over magic and witchcraft in the stories prompted frequent book banning attempts, and even book burnings. In 2002, the books were proposed for removal, along with more than fifty other titles, by a teachers’ prayer group at the high school in Russell Springs, KY because they dealt with ghosts, cults, and witchcraft. That same year, a federal judge overturned restricted access to “Harry Potter” after parents of a Cedarville, AK fourth-grader filed a lawsuit challenging the requirement that students present written permission from a parent to borrow the books. The novels were originally challenged because they characterized authority as “stupid” and portrayed “good witches and good magic.”




#3 The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Possibly one of the coolest trilogies of the 21st century! Why was it challenged? It was listed as: anti-ethnic, anti-family, insensitive, has offensive language, occult/satanic, and has violence. While I do agree on the violence part being at an all time high I disagree with anti-family! She volunteered!!! :D 












#4 Twilight  by Stephanie Meyer

Please...before you go screaming for my head let me state what I feel without judgement. Put away your wooden stakes for just one second! I like Twilight! I do! I think that before it was horribly ruined by the movies (I mean RUINED) I always liked the story! So pretend this is 2006 and untainted! :D The reason it was banned: sexually explict and religious viewpoints.











#5 Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. This is the first kids book that made me cry! No it was not banned for screwing with your emotions! It's been challenged as being satanic/occult and has "offensive" language. 

#6 A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein 

“Somebody has to go polish the stars,
They're looking a little bit dull.
Somebody has to go polish the stars,
For the eagles and starlings and gulls
Have all been complaining they're tarnished and worn,
They say they want new ones we cannot afford.
So please get your rags
And your polishing jars,
Somebody has to go polish the stars.” 

Can you imagine a world without Shel Silverstein?! I love the nonsensical poetry and the humor. This was challenged as being violent and teaches disrespect. 








#7  The Dictionary

What?! The dictionary!? What could possibly be in the dictionary?! :D The dictionary was banned in some California libraries for having sexual definitions. Even the dictionary has a way of putting people on edge! 










#8 Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Shhhh....don't tell my mom...she'd be crushed that this was banned in South Dakota for it's reference to potential indian racial slurs. She just loves this story so much! I will also admit to loving them as a child! This particular one wasn't my absolute favorite (I liked the Longest Winter) but it's still a gem of a book! 















#9 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 

I know...I'm just as surprised as you! How could this magical book possibly be banned!? Didn't it capture our minds with it's promises of golden tickets and chocolate rivers? The answer for one library in Colorado is no. It was deemed to portray poor lifestyle choices and banned! Cheer up Charlie! We still love you! 









#10 Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Please que the music....AHHHHAHAHA...AHHAHAHA. That doesn't translate very well via type! Not only does this book get mad props for being rejected 25 times before it finally got published it also reminds me of my Grandma Gurney. This book was banned for being sexually explict and having slavery. It also was apparently violent and had low morals. Pretty hard to write about the Civil War without violence! :D 













Finally...

#11 The Witches by Roald Dahl 

O poor Roald Dahl! Guy just can't catch a break! The Witches is a classic story about a little boy who discovers a clan of witches and adventure ensues! This was banned in some parts of England because-in all our bra burning glory-we women decided that Roald was a misogynist because he said the witches could only be women. To quote good ol' Roald, "I do not wish to speak badly about women. Most women are lovely. But the fact remains that all witches are women. There is no such thing as a male witch. On the other hand, a ghoul is always a male... both are dangerous.  But neither of them is half as dangerous as a REAL WITCH."








There you have it my darlings! Now go read a book and break some rules!