Category: News

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The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 354 challenges to library, school and university materials in 2017. Of the 416 books challenged or banned in 2017, the Top 10 Most Challenged Books are:

1. Thirteen Reasons Why written by Jay Asher
   Originally published in 2007, this New York Times bestseller has resurfaced as a controversial book after Netflix aired a TV series by the same name. This YA novel was challenged and banned in multiple school districts because it discusses suicide.
2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie
   Consistently challenged since its publication in 2007 for acknowledging issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality, this National Book Award winner was challenged in school curriculums because of profanity and situations that were deemed sexually explicit.
3. Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
   This Stonewall Honor Award-winning, 2012 graphic novel from an acclaimed cartoonist was challenged and banned in school libraries because it includes LGBT characters and was considered “confusing.”
4. The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini
   This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”
5. George written by Alex Gino
   Written for elementary-age children, this Lambda Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.
6. Sex is a Funny Word written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth
   This 2015 informational children’s book written by a certified sex educator was challenged because it addresses sex education and is believed to lead children to “want to have sex or ask questions about sex.”
7. To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee
   This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an American classic, was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word.
8. The Hate U Give written by Angie Thomas
   Despite winning multiple awards and being the most searched-for book on Goodreads during its debut year, this YA novel was challenged and banned in school libraries and curriculums because it was considered “pervasively vulgar” and because of drug use, profanity, and offensive language.
9. And Tango Makes Three written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole. Returning after a brief hiatus from the Top Ten Most Challenged list, this ALA Notable Children’s Book, published in 2005, was challenged and labeled because it features a same-sex relationship.
10. I Am Jazz written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
    This autobiographical picture book co-written by the 13-year-old protagonist was challenged because it addresses gender identity.

Exercise your reading rights. Check out a banned book.

Banned Books Week 2018 is September 23-29. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restricted in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.

For many of us, we can find at least one of our beloved favorites has made the infamous list : For me,  it is To Kill a Mockingbird. To see if any of your favorite books have made the banned or challenged list, visit http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks where you can view the lists by year or decade.  Here is an example of just one book that was banned for a completely ridiculous reason:

Little Red Riding Hood, by Brothers Grimm

Why: In the 1987 version, which was adapted from the original fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood was shown carrying a bottle of wine in her basket. But, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we ask you this: What’s honestly the most disturbing thing about Little Red Riding Hood? Is it the fact that there’s a sentient wolf in her grandma’s pajamas? The fact that said wolf probably mauled said grandma to death? Oh, it’s the WINE? Really? Not the fact that the Brothers Grimm were always setting up scenarios where children might get eaten? Ok, as long as you’re sure. Glad everyone has their priorities straight.

To see other books banned for completely ridiculous reasons, visit: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/11-books-that-were-banned-for-completely-ridiculous-reasons/

Come visit the library this week! Get your mug shot picture taken with one of our banned books on display and you will be entered into one of our prize drawings.  Are you brave enough to read a banned book with us?

With school starting up again don’t forget that the library is more than just a place to checkout a book or movie. The library is a great place to study, do your homework or get homework help. It’s also a great place to hang out with your friends, to learn something new, play a game, or create something amazing. The library has computers, Chromebooks, and Wi-Fi available for the public to use.

One Book for Nebraska Teens

Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac

Named for a legendary Apache heroine, Lozen, 17, is skilled in killing the giant, genetically engineered monsters that roam the countryside.  Now that the Cloud has caused most machinery to quit, the world is a different place.  Her mother, brother and sister are being held by the four heads of Haven, the former prison now being used to keep the monsters out and the slaves in.  If Lozen can continue to survive, she plans to eventually free her family.

Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading 

By Tommy Greenwald

Charlie Joe Jackson is in middle school and hates to read.  He prides himself on never having read a book.  Ever.  While he tells of his experiences in class and with his friends, he also gives the reader 25 hints and explains how his approach has worked for him.  But there are some humorous situations and circumstances that begin to get in the way of his continuing his record.