Banned Books Week #2 - Five More Books to Consider

Today I continue with the second half of the top ten challenged and/or banned books of 2016, and again I ask you to consider reading one (or more) of these. I've read several of the ten books I'm spotlighting, and recommend them highly. Here we go ...

"Looking for Alaska" by John Green.

Better known for his novel "The Fault In Our Stars", John Green's novel "Looking for Alaska" won the Printz Honor award. This young adult novel was challenged and restricted because of one sexually explicit scene that was felt might lead young readers into "sexual exploration". Wow. Kids exploring sexuality. Doesn't that come with the hormones of the teenage years?

"Big Hard Sex Criminals"  written by Matt
Fraction and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky. 

This is a compilation of adult comics by two award-winning artists. It was challenged and banned and deemed to be too sexually explicit by library staff and administration.

"Make Something Up: Stories You Can't
Unread" by Chuck Palahniuk. 

This is a collection of adult short stories and received positive reviews from Newsweek and the New York Times. It's been challenged for profanity, being sexually explicit, and being "disgusting and all around offensive". I don't know about you, but I think I might want to read something that is thought to be "all around offensive".

The "Little Bill" series, written by Bill Cosby. 

The #9 book in the list is unusual for several reasons. First, it's a series of books. Second, it wasn't challenged because of the writing or the material. It was challenged because of the author. Librarians wanted to pull the series off the shelves because of the criminal sexual allegations against the author. The books themselves look really fun and like something that would be enjoyable for a kid to read. It's a shame that Bill Cosby threw his life into the toilet the way that he did.

"Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell.

If there is a book on this list of ten I'd recommend without a second thought, it's this one. One of seven New York Times Notable Children's Books, and a winner of the Printz Honor, this book was challenged on offensive language. "Eleanor & Park" was my introduction to this author and I found it beautifully written and characterized. It dealt with some really hard situations and managed to deal with them beautifully.

So there you have it - ten banned or challenged books that are well worth putting back into your school libraries and possibly into your own hands for a good read. I haven't read all of them, and I doubt that I will, but I have read several and really enjoyed them. Of course, the list of banned books extends back into time, so there are thousands of choices out there. Why not treat yourself to reading a banned book this week in honor of Banned Books Week.

Have a wonderful Tuesday. Chickie gets the day off today to make up for her working on Monday last week, so I'll be on the sales floor a bit more than usual. Oh well, such is the breaks. Enjoy your day!