Banning Tango Oct 11, 2007
First, the good news: And Tango Makes Three, a picture book for 4- to 8-year-olds about two penguins who are into homosexual parenting, is the most challenged book on the American Library Association s (ALA) Banned Books Week list ... When we started Banned Books Week [in 1982], hundreds of books annually were removed from libraries and occasionally bookstores ... To the Bee s credit, they quoted American Family Association President Tim Wildmon, who laid out the real agenda behind Banned Books... (Human Events Online)
A few words in defense of books Oct 8, 2007
Albany Public Library, residents mark national Banned Books Week ... ALBANY -- It seemed a novel protest idea -- to read banned books in public ... More than two dozen people gathered at the Albany Public Library Saturday to mark Banned Books Week, a nationwide effort to raise awareness of efforts in some communities to remove what some see as profane or objectionable materials from libraries and bookstores. (Albany Times Union)
Nitro students to protest suspension of Conroy book Oct 5, 2007
Saturday marks the end of Banned Books Week, which members of the American Library Association celebrate, among others. Fletcher said he already read The Prince of Tides and was tested on it in class. (Charleston Gazette, WV -- News)
Banned book week ends this Friday Oct 4, 2007
Banned Books Reading with Mayor Mark Begich and ASD Superintendent Carol Comeau at 4 p.m. today at Title Wave Books, 1360 W. Northern Lights Blvd.. Banned books display: 26 of the 100 most challenged books on view at A Novel View bookstore, 335 E St. ... YouTube video showing book jackets of top 10 banned books. (Anchorage Daily News)
Library celebrates freedom to read Oct 4, 2007
At the Russell Library, it's Banned Books Week ... Banned books have actually been removed ... That is what Banned Books Week is about. (Middletown Press, CT)
The banned list Oct 4, 2007
Area librarians would like people to celebrate Banned Books Week by reading a banned book. Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year, and this year is being observed Sept. 29 through Oct. 6 ... According to the American Library Association, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of... (Princeton Bureau County Republican, IL)
Public demand remains for banned books Oct 4, 2007
This week is Banned Books Week, a program to raise awareness about censorship of books. It was started in 1982 by the ALA, the American Booksellers Association, the Association of American Publishers and the National Association of College Stores. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Know your Constitutional rights Oct 3, 2007
English students read banned books inside the library, students scrawled their opinions on large black cubes in front of the Palmer Art Museum and orange panels on the grass outside the Thomas Building argued the death penalty. The day served as an important reminder to utilize the most sacred of Constitutional freedoms granted to Penn State students and Americans everywhere. (Daily Collegian, PA)
Celebrating fighting book bans Oct 2, 2007
And National Banned Books week, which started on Sept. 29, is showcasing that ... In honor of banned books, the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., will hold an event Wednesday as a part of the 2007 Carol Spaziani Intellectual Freedom Festival, which has been taking place throughout September ... Nancy Baker, the top UI librarian, said that the importance of Banned Books Week is to call attention to intellectual freedom. (Daily Iowan, IA)
An uncomfortable burning sensation Oct 2, 2007
This week is Banned Books Week, during which we celebrate all those books that have been banned throughout our history. Books such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Color Purple, and The Bible. (Daily Iowan, IA)
Today's Photos Oct 2, 2007
Goodlove was reading as part of an event honoring books that were once banned but are now considered classics; the "Read-Out" was held as part of the American Library Association's Banned Books Week. Sarah O'Brien/The Daily Iowan. (Daily Iowan, IA)
Something 2 Do: 9/29-9/30 Sep 30, 2007
Banned Books Week Read-OutPioneer Court435 N. Michigan Avenue1-4pm. Saturday y. (CBS2Chicago.com, IL)
Sweet music, books Sep 29, 2007
Participants must go to Old Bisbee merchants and collect a list of banned books that have been distributed throughout the town. It s a lesson in free speech. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
ACLU Releases Challenged Books Report Sep 27, 2007
They are calling it Banned Books Week. At Eanes Elementary School in West Lake Hills, CBS 42's Rebecca Taylor found a library that has seen a battle over books. (K-Eye News, TX)
Photo Gallery Sep 25, 2007
Answer: This is a game pitting prominent local panelists with literary backgrounds against each other to answer questions about banned books and authors. Question: What is the Banned Book Jeopardy game at Iowa State University on Monday. (Ames Daily Tribune, IA)
Sssshhhhh! Documentary focuses on librarians in films, and makes the case for libraries as the seat of civilization Sep 25, 2007
Seidl has arranged screenings in libraries around the country, including Racine, and in Canada during Banned Books Week, which begins Saturday and is intended to remind people of the dangers of censoring books, which means censoring thought. Books are society. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Banned Book Jeopardy to make ISU debut Sep 23, 2007
Answer: This is a game pitting prominent local panelists with literary backgrounds against each other to answer questions about banned books and authors ... Banned books will be on display and available for purchase ... For more information on book challenges and censorship, visit the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom's Banned Books Web site at www. (Ames Daily Tribune, IA)
Library mulls removing works Sep 21, 2007
"It's serendipitous that this is happening before Banned Books Week," which is Sept. 29-Oct ... During that week, the American Library Association promotes intellectual freedom and encourages people to read banned books. (AZCentral -- News)
Students partake in Constitution Day Sep 18, 2007
At the "Illicit Literature Lounge" in front of Pattee Library, students in ENGL 474 (Literary Public Spheres) and CAS 506 (Contemporary Rhetorical Theory) stood on top of a wave-like structure reading excerpts from banned books ... Frequently challenged or banned books were also displayed, along with the reasons why they were controversial, including The Catcher in the Rye (sex), Lord of the Flies (racism) and 1984 (politics). (Daily Collegian, PA)
Morningside to fete National Banned Books Week Sep 18, 2007
Morningside College students, faculty,and staff will read excerpts from books that have been banned or challenged for some reason at a celebration of National Banned Books Week at noon Friday in the Yockey Family Community Room of the Olson Student Center, 3609 Peters Ave.. The public is invited to the free event, which is sponsored by Morningside's Academic and Cultural Arts Series (ACAS). (Sioux City Journal)
Madeleine L'Engle, children's writer, is dead Sep 8, 2007
The "St. James Guide to Children's Writers" called L'Engle "one of the truly important writers of juvenile fiction in recent decades." Such accolades did not come from pulling punches: "Wrinkle" is one of the most banned books because of its treatment of the deity. "It was a dark and stormy night," it begins, repeating the line of a 19th- century novelist Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, and presaging the immortal sentence that Snoopy, the inspiration-challenged beagle of the Peanuts cartoon, would... (International Herald Tribune)
Book burning for literacy? Sep 5, 2007
October was chosen for the initiative month because Oct. 1 is the start of Banned Books Week, Keyes said, in which books that have historically been banned throughout the country are discussed and honored. Copies of ahrenheit 451 will be made available through the library in English-language, Spanish-language and large-print copies during the month. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Back to school: Reading the classics Aug 31, 2007
"They are among the most banned books of all time," Mr. Wentworth said. The question of what's appropriate to read starts early on as parents try out their first Dr. Seuss book on their children and gently bounce them up and down to the rhythm of nursery rhymes during baby lap-sits. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Sympathy for Craig not easy to find Aug 30, 2007
Yet Idaho voters in 1994 defeated an anti-gay initiative that would have prevented civil-rights protections for gays and banned books that depicted homosexuality favorably. "Idaho has an intriguing history that way, and an intriguing set of politics," said Nicole LeFavour, a Democrat elected twice to the Idaho Assembly while openly a lesbian. (Seattle Times)
'Gay' penguin book gets most complaints Aug 29, 2007
The ALA, the American Booksellers Association and others in the publishing community will hold their 26th annual Banned Books Week from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6, highlighting works that have been banned or were threatened with removal. . (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Book on male penguins tops complaint list Aug 29, 2007
The ALA, the American Booksellers Association and others in the publishing community will hold their 26th annual Banned Books Week from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6, highlighting works that have been banned or were threatened with removal. Don't miss this on MSNBC.com. (MSNBC -- News)
Read all about it! New book blog Aug 28, 2007
Here I go with more ideas: memoirs v. fiction, our favorite banned books, best cookbooks or best books about food (La Cocina and such) (reading Clyde Edgerton always makes me hungry, btw), favorite children s books. I ll keep thinking. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Prisoners sue to get banned books back Aug 24, 2007
The Citizen, Auburn NY - TEST. The Citizen Voting Booth. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Govt told to revise law on crimes against state Aug 9, 2007
"Many banned books written by the late Pramoedya Ananta Toer are on sale in bookstores in Jakarta but none have been seized. Only certain textbooks have been confiscated," he said. Rival G. Ahmad, advocacy coordinator at the Center for Indonesian Law and Policy Study, said the 1999 law and a relevant decree from the People's Consultative Assembly should be brought to the Constitutional Court for review because they were not in line with the 1945 Constitution. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia)
* Monuments unveiled to celebrate feminist sites Jul 30, 2007
Abuse of female workers and prostitution were issues discussed in the banned books, she said. In addition to political pressure, feminists at the time also faced criticism from a rather conservative and unsupportive public, she said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
For the good of everyone, let books exist Jul 19, 2007
Shouldn't banned books be read before they are burned ... The list of frequently banned books on Wikipedia reads something like a Top 100 most influential books of the 20th century. (Daily Collegian, PA)
Meister: Ginsberg's Howl Jul 1, 2007
It glared down on stacks of once-banned books, an excellent cross-section of the world's greatest literature, including the Bible. A banner over the display, proclaiming "banned books for sale" and the publicity given to "Howl" and City Lights, brought hundreds of new customers to the store. (Zmag.org)
Book controversies not a new issue on LI Jun 19, 2007
Their list of banned books included the Pulitzer Prize-winner "The Fixer" by Bernard Malamud, Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse Five," and Richard Wright's "Black Boy.". On the other side was a group of Island Trees students led by student council President Steven Pico and civil liberties advocates who sued the school board over violating their First Amendment rights. (Newsday -- Long Island)
Irrelevancy of Marxism May 18, 2007
Consequently his statements are confusing and reflect the logic of the authority who banned books on communism with the fallacious excuse that they were "irrelevant" for the public and therefore were better off in the hands of a handful of "chosen" people with special interests or tasks on that matter. Sugiharto needs to clarify his use of the word "Marxism" and re-read for instance the link between Marxism and popular culture from a postmodernist perspective. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)
China replaces top censor following furor over 8 banned books Apr 25, 2007
10:09 a.m. April 24, 2007. BEIJING China's chief censor has been been removed from his post, state media reported Tuesday, following an outcry this year over a reported decision to ban eight books. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Woman takes on sheik in heated exchange on Riyadh state television Apr 12, 2007
"You have banned books of the various intellectual streams. You've prevented the mind from operating, thinking, comparing, and choosing, even though it is the same mind that the Creator gave people in order to choose between Paradise and Hell.". Nasser's strong words in front of viewers who rarely hear such dissent recalled Syrian native that spread across the Internet through a produced by MEMRI. Sultan asserted the world is witnessing "a battle between modernity and barbarism which Islam will... (WorldNetDaily)
Report: Indian state rejects introduction of sex education in schools. Mar 31, 2007
The western state's government also banned books that instruct teachers on how to present sex education in the schools, following opposition from lawmakers, The Indian Express newspaper reported. The decision was recently announced by Hasan Mushrif, junior state minister for school education, in the state legislature. (International Herald Tribune)
Just another fashion statement or an infraction? Mar 20, 2007
Sure, there were new political parties, all the previously banned books came out, and people even grew tired of all the new media publications and endless street rallies. But for the ordinary female office worker, there was something else. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Academics, activists join forces to defy ban Mar 20, 2007
The banned books were written based on the 2004 curriculum, which was later revised by the National Education Ministry. "As teachers, we are supposed to not only reveal historical facts, but also to explain the larger context and meaning of an event like G30S," said Ratna Hapsari, the head of Jakarta's history teachers association. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Former al-Arqam followers claim trial Mar 17, 2007
SHAH ALAM: Two former followers of the outlawed al-Arqam movement claimed trial in the Syariah Lower Court here for keeping banned books and trying to revive the movement s teachings ... Hamdan Mohd Nur, 38, faces two charges of possessing banned books, one titled Zakir Agong and the other Abuya Pemimpin Paling Ajaib di Zamannya. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Anatomical word usage in kids’ book spurs debate Feb 23, 2007
"That was my first brush with banned books.". Coopersmith said it s hard enough getting kids to read books; they should be allowed to read about what interests them. (New Haven Register, CT)
Cuba's book burning spawns reading effort Feb 19, 2007
The project is a takeoff on campaigns encouraging people to read banned books ... Some of the dissidents rounded up in 2003 were independent librarians who established lending libraries in their homes, offering banned books to neighbors ... org, possible classroom activities involving banned books. (Orlando Sentinel -- Entertainment)
Banned Books Feb 8, 2007
Mysteries are not Immune. You may think that banning books was something that happened in Victorian times, but banning books still happens -- and mystery novels are not exempt. (Suite101.com)
* Beijing tells writers to stay away from Hong Kong summit Feb 6, 2007
Zhang Yihe (M), who wrote a memoir on an anti-rightist campaign in China that was among the eight banned books, decided not to attend the conference after being warned. Calls to Chinese police headquarters in Beijing seeking comment went unanswered. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Canon will expand with the times Jan 29, 2007
We should remember that one of the most important works in all of American literature ---- Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" ---- was also one of the most banned books. Yet Ernest Hemingway said of this controversial, deliberately inflammatory novel: "All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called 'Huckleberry Finn.' ". (North County Times)
In China all history is political Jan 26, 2007
Tellingly, one of the banned books, Past Stories of Peking Opera Stars, was written by Zhang Yihe, daughter of former transport minister Zhang Bojun, who was one of the chief targets of the anti-rightist campaign. The ideological crackdown against Zhang Bojun and other intellectuals came in reaction to the so-called Hundred Flowers Blooming Movement in 1956-57, a period during which Mao invited criticism of the government with the ostensible aim of improving policymaking. (Asia Times Online)
Tunisia: Freedom of Expression Still Under Siege [press release] Jan 22, 2007
"To respect its international commitments, the Tunisian government should also release all banned books and publications, should stop censoring books, and should put and end to the blocking of websites," said Ana Maria Cabanellas, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA). TMG members also highlighted concerns about the Tunisian government's censorship of deadly clashes between security forces and armed groups in the end of December 2006 and in early January 2007 in the... (allAfrica.com)
Not-so-bright highlights of 2006 Dec 29, 2006
During the American Library Association's annual Banned Books Week, Laura Mallory of Gwinnett County admires his sense of timing. Clay Aiken named to the President's Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Spoon River College students lend a hand Dec 28, 2006
Others volunteered to participate in public readings during Banned Books Week in the college's library. A number of theater students volunteered to write and perform in two skits that highlighted effective and ineffective methods to communicate with children about drug abuse for the Fulton County SA Prevention Task Force Fall Family Fun Day held on Oct. 21, in Wallace Park in Canton. (Macomb Journal, IL)
SRC students reach out to the community Dec 24, 2006
Others volunteered to participate in public readings during Banned Books Week in the college s library. A number of theatre students volunteered to write and perform in two skits that highlighted effective and ineffective methods to communicate with children about drug abuse for the Fulton County SA Prevention Task Force Fall Family Fun Day held on Saturday, Oct. 21, in Wallace Park in Canton. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
- Azar Nafisi Nov 25, 2006
Officials have claimed that some banned books deliberately give Iranians a sense of inferiority and induce them to become "lackeys of the west". But this charge is nonsense. (Guardian Unlimited)
Bestsellers banned in new Iranian censorship purge Nov 18, 2006
Newly banned books include Farsi translations of Tracy Chevalier's best-seller Girl With a Pearl Earring and Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, the latter for upsetting clerics within Iran's tiny Christian community. Chevalier's novel has completed six print runs in Iran and earned hefty profits for its local publisher, Cheshme. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
Check out Malta Library Nov 13, 2006
Daily Chronicle Online - Neighbors. Updated: Nov 12, 2006 - 12:05:40 am CST. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Malta Library is busy this month Nov 5, 2006
Banned Books Week read continues through the end of November. A list of books that have been banned or challenged is on display in the library. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Mich. school district bans 'Huck Finn' Nov 5, 2006
The American Library Association named the classic one of the top five most banned books in the United States during the 20th century. advertisement. (AZCentral -- News)
'Finn' finished in Michigan school system Nov 3, 2006
The News said the liberal use of the "N word" in "Huckleberry Finn" has made the 1885 novel one of the most banned books in the United States, despite its reputation among many U.S. literary scholars as one of the great American novels. . (Washington Times, DC)
A tough crusader falls Oct 14, 2006
It gave her access to banned books, which she read hungrily. It gave her a sense of protection: Eady speculates that her father's death two weeks ago may have lifted the final bar against killing her. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Red October: Killing the Truth in Moscow Oct 11, 2006
As the daughter of diplomats, she had access to banned books, was sent to the best Soviet schools, later worked as a writer for top Soviet institutions: the national newspaper Izvestiya, then the in-house paper of Aeroflot, the Soviet airline. It was the latter job that opened her eyes to the reality of her native land, she told the Guardian in 2004. (Empire Burlesque)
Obituary: Anna Politkovskaya Oct 9, 2006
As a child, she had the best of both worlds: her parents could smuggle banned books out of the country, so she could write her dissertation about whomever she pleased. She alighted upon a poet shunned by Moscow, the ;migr; Marina Tsvetayeva. (Guardian Unlimited)
Interview with Anna Politkovskaya Oct 8, 2006
Among its other advantages, her parents' diplomatic status enabled them to smuggle banned books into the country for her, and she was able to write her dissertation about a normally forbidden poet, the emigre Marina Tsvetayeva. After graduation, Politkovskaya worked for the daily Izvestiya, then moved to the in-house paper of the state airline monopoly Aeroflot. (Guardian Unlimited)
Caney Creek students oppose banning of 'Fahrenheit 451' Oct 7, 2006
However, the irony that a book about book burning was requested banned during banned Books Week attracted widespread attention. Students received e-mails from Canada and Sweden supporting their efforts, and The Courier's Web site, www. (Conroe Courier, TX)
'Fahrenheit 451' ignites at Camelot Theatre Oct 6, 2006
Camelot's Artistic Director Livia Genise notes that the production is opening just a week after the end of National Banned Books Week. Nationally, such titles as the Harry Potter series have been challenged in schools and libraries, along with works by John Steinbeck, Toni Morrison and Mark Twain. (Mail Tribune, OR)
Parent criticizes book 'Fahrenheit 451' Oct 3, 2006
Alton Verm's request to ban "Fahrenheit 451" came during the 25th annual Banned Books Week. He and Hines said the request to ban "Fahrenheit 451," a book about book burning, during Banned Books Weeks is a coincidence ... "Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read" is observed during the last week of September each year, according to the American Library Association Web site, www. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Ruddock may allow researchers access to banned books Oct 3, 2006
Philip Ruddock says researchers may be able to access banned books ... Mr Ruddock has told ABC TV's Lateline program he is prepared to discuss limited access to banned books for specific research. (ABC News Online, Australia)
Live! Rude! Girl! Oct 1, 2006
The 25th anniversary of Banned Books Week just ended, but don't tell me we're going to concern ourselves about this issue only one week out of 52 ... org) and others keep lists of the most challenged and banned books, and these lists are something to see ... And baby, unless those of us with slightly broader views of life dig our heels in and treat every week as Banned Books week, we're all going to be sharing that padded cell with them. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
