Banned Books Week

It's been awhile, Blogger. But we are alive, and well, and caffeinated (at least today). Hopefully our comeback is welcomed, and not anything like *spoiler alert* Sherlock Holmes returning after faked death, leaving Watson passed out on the floor.

I rant.

In any case, before it goes down tomorrow, try and check out the Banned Books Week display. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to access materials, and it urges us not to compromise or silence the voices of others. And a great opponent of this is the banning of books. So naturally, why not put these once banned or challenged books on display? Why not make it look like a pseudo-book burning?

We should? Exactly. That's what we thought after our third cup of coffee.

So this week, silenced voices had a place:

Other than the obvious, very nerdy classiness of Banned Books Week, it was really fun to watch your reactions to the display. Especially some of the kids who came through:

"Why is there yellow caution tape there?"

"Well Billy, you see,when  people don't pay book fines..."

Just kidding.

But the kids were very intuitive, intelligent, and receptive, along with the rest of you. We also had library staff insert personal letters, summaries, and other pieces of their writing that may help an individual connect and learn the true importance of the banned book they choose. It was a stellar week, really. Five ninja stars.

* * * * * 

MD

P.S. Some of the banned books on display included:

The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank

Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger

To Kill a Mockingbird, By Harper Lee

Animal Farm, by George Orwell

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle

Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green

Looking for Alaska, by John Green

(Basically, John Green fiesta...)

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson

The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck

1984, by George Orwell

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain

The Color Purple, by Alice Walker

The Hunger Games (Series), by Suzanne Collins

Forever, by Judy Blume

Captain Underpants, by Dav Pilkey

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky

The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton

Crank, by Ellen Hopkins

The Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak

A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway

Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck

Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi

Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck

Among many others! Even after this week, keep the spirit of freedom of materials, knowledge, and reading alive.