Banned Books + Giveaway

I am a huge supporter of banned books.  It is so ridiculous to me that it's 2010 and we are still challenging and banning books.  How can people still be so old fashioned? Scroll to the bottom for a giveaway!


Banned Books Week is rapidly approaching and I took this opportunity to check out some books from the library:

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
• I felt so sad when I was reading this book because Charlie was such a sympathetic character.  He broke my heart because he was so sweet and I didn't want him to get hurt!  It was a quick book to read, but I had some issues getting past the format of the letters.
• And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
• I thought this book was so sweet!  It was a story of two male penguins who genuinely loved each other and tried to act like all the other couples.  The only thing they couldn't do was have a baby together until Mr. Gramzay found an egg and gave it to them to hatch.  Tango was born into their sweet family.  This is based on a true story at the Central Park Zoo, and I read that after 6 years together Roy and Silo split up.  I know they are penguins, but I felt so sad when I read that.

I love Sarah Ockler's post on Censorship.  She brings up a valid point.  If you want to "protect" your children, why not start a conversation?  Your kids probably have a lot of questions.  You know what?  I grew up in a very open household.  All of my questions were answered truthfully (sometimes too truthfully) and I think I turned out okay.  In fact, I think I turned out great because I am open-minded.  If a child really wants to read a book, shouldn't we be encouraging them instead of banning books?!  


Anyways, I had this post scheduled for September 25th to coincide with Banned Books Week, however, with the Wesley Scroggins situation I just had to post this now.  You need to read these posts from Sarah Ockler (here) and Laurie Halse Anderson (here).  For a list of links, check out Bookalicio.us (here) and check out the link.  Read them.  They are all so powerful and all say much more than I ever could on the subject.

I don't have children, so some may think I'm not qualified to be offended by banning books, but as a book-lover you can darn right bet that I am offended.  I'm going to take the time to celebrate my freedom to read.  I suggest you do the same.    


P.S. Check out the Listmania! I made with all the banned and challenged books from this year.  Since there were more than 40 books, I had to list some of them at the top.




Now for the good stuff!  I am going to be giving away a copy of Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott and Lessons from a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles (both books were on the 2009-2010 list of challenged and banned books).


To enter, just leave a comment here with a valid e-mail address by October 2, 2010 at 12:00 pm EST.  This contest will be open to US only this time.