By: Elaine Anderson,
on 4/9/2007
Take the "Banned Book Challenge" along with another 142 people, including the people listed below, who have pledged to read over 1495 books in the Banned Book Challenge. 
Freedom to Read Poster 2002
Anonymous, 2
mokacoffee, USA, 2
katieam, USA, 10
Superfast Reader, USA, 3
naridu, Australia, 2
See the comments below for titles that have been submitted.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 4/8/2007
If you are enjoying the "Banned Book Challenge," be sure to check out A Novel Challenge blog, billed as the place where you can find your next challenge. A few reading challenges are:
Photo is by Chotda (K. Santos) and is under a Creative Commons License with some rights reserved.
* A to Z
* Banned Books Challenge
* Dystopian Challenge
* Get To Know You
* MandNs Summer Seven
* Non Fiction Five Challenge
* NYT Most Notable
* O'Canada
* Once Upon A Time
* Personal Genre
* Reading Across Borders
* Reading Through The Decades
* Southern Reading
* Spring Reading Thing
* TBR Challenge
Check the Novel Challenges' Web Site for all of the links and details.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 4/2/2007
Freedom to Read Poster 2003
Take the "Banned Book Challenge" along with the people below.
137 people, including the people listed below, have pledged to read over 1471 books in the Banned Book Challenge. (I knew the math would get me in the end.) I realized today that 22 people have set a goal of over 25 books and my Excel spreadsheet did not include the books in the total.) Thus the jump from last week's total.
Banned_for_life14, USA, 6
Katya, USA, 10
Quixotic, UK, 5
John, USA, 2
lifelongreader, UAE, 2
chica3545, USA, 3
Kayla, USA, more than 25
Dnc1ngQueen, USA, more than 25
Lauren, USA, 10
Check the comments below for titles that have been submitted. There are a number of study guides or papers prepared by Professor Paul Brians of Washington State University for two of the books being submitted as completed titles -- Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and the Dystopian Tradition and Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/26/2007
128 people, including the people listed below, have pledged to read over 880 books in the Banned Book Challenge.
sillysoph, USA, 3
rawrMandy, USA, 10
Martha W., Canada, 20
Rosangela, Brazil, 1
Superfast Reader, USA,3
lepitre728, Canada, 7
JaneSays, USA, 6
Check the comments below for titles that have been submitted.
Freedom to Read Poster 2002
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/23/2007
A lot of people come to this page looking for discussion guides on particular books. I have posted ones that we have used at the Pelham Public Library for others to use.
One covers banning and censorship issues. There is a new discussion guide for Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak. A discussion guide for Wild Swans was published previously.
Take the "Banned Book Challenge" with the Pelham Public Library.
Freedom to Read Poster 2001
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/19/2007
121 people, including the people listed below, have pledged to read over 830 books in the Banned Book Challenge. Young adult author, KL Going has taken up the challenge. She is the author of St. Iggy and Fat Kid Rules the World. Fat Kid Rules the World has been banned from high school libraries in Pickens, S.C. Pickens Politics has an interesting version of what happened.
Ahlimah, Canada, 20
melistress, Canada, 4
JustBeingMe, Malaysia, 1
Ank, USA, more than 25
momvicky, USA, 2
Chesworth, Canada, 8
3M, USA, 7
KL Going, USA, 5
LibraryGirl, Canada, 15
katrina, England, 5
Check the comments below for titles that have been submitted.
Freedom to Read Poster 2000
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/15/2007
New & Noteworthy, The West Hempstead Public Library's Weblog is holding an essay contest on freedom to read. The age categories are: 5-12 years old, 13-17 years old, 18+ years old. The question is, "Which book have you enjoyed that makes you appreciate the freedom to read?" Check their weblog for more details.
Here's the scoop on a couple of graphic novels that had been challenged. "On March 14, 2007, the Marshall Public Library Board of Trustees voted to return both Fun Home and Blankets to the library's shelves." The books had been removed until the board could hammer out a new material selection policy, according to a story in the Marshall Democrat-News.
As for our banned book challenge, I will publish as many book entries for your completed titles as I can. It is interesting to read what people have written about their completed books. Check the comment for this entry for the first batch. I am surprised by the number of similar titles.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/13/2007
Ted Mahsun, of "Manuscripts Don't Burn", Malaysia posts an entry about the UK Independent releasing a series of books that have been banned or challenged. They have great cover art and are also identified on the cover as being banned. They offered special editions to their print readers each week. UK readers can check this week's banned book here.
Banned Books is an exclusive collection of 25 cutting-edge titles, censored classics and literary landmarks by authors including Ernest Hemingway, Vladimir Nabokov, Franz Kafka, Andre Gide, Maya Angelou, William Burroughs, Kurt Vonnegut, Henry Miller and Ray Bradbury, specially published and packaged for Independent readers.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/12/2007
111 people, including the people listed below, have pledged to read over 731 books in the Banned Book Challenge.
KatieO, USA, more than 25
Jonesyaaron, USA, 3
BookDen, USA, 1
celliegirl94, USA, 10
Lover of Books, USA, 8
lizzerie, USA, 3
Caitlyn, USA, 12
tanabata, Japan, 5
CanadianKiwi, Canada, 10
Diane, USA, 2
bklv89, USA, more than 25
minmorton, UK, 6
Katelyn P., Canada, 6
Angry Mother in Michigan, USA, more than 25
Kristin Dodge, USA, 15 
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/11/2007
Take the "Banned Book Challenge" in whatever language you care to read.
Freedom to Read Poster 1998.
Freedom to Read in Canada has the following Francophone materials on their challenged book list.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/8/2007
Searching through the Sitemeter is always fun. I like to see what brings people to our page. Lately it has been the "Banned Book Challenge."
But there are many other reasons. Check the search strings below.
Someone was looking for "captain underpants cliff notes." Please tell me this can't be a serious request.
Other people seem to being doing homework. "[P]eople are as supersitious (sic) today as they ever were in the past discuss." I'm not sure you are going to find a web site that will discuss an issue but one never knows.
A big draw to the site is the information on Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/5/2007
If you finished the "Banned Book Challenge," celebrate and let us know.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/5/2007
We have had such an overwhelming response to the "Banned Book Challenge" that I am afraid even Formlogix won't be able to sort out my data. So, for everyone who is beginning to submit a book review, here is a new form for you. If you have read a book for the challenge, use "submit completed title." If there is a book that has been challenged and you have read it in the past, please feel free to write a review under "book review."
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/5/2007
96 people have pledged to read over 650 books in the Banned Book Challenge.
Anna, UK, 10
Purplefrost, 5
Ag_fisch, USA, 6
Tanzanite, USA, 4
PowerofthePen, USA, more than 25
Cristina, USA, 4
happysmiles, USA, 10
GreenWhimsy, USA, 20
Love2Read103, USA, 5
Joanne, USA, 12
Kim W., USA, 20
Mandy41283, 5
stefaniegk, USA, more than 25
linus1219, U.S., 12
Fattygurl4u2NV23, USA, 8
ReadQueen, USA, more than 25
Kathleen, Dominican Republic, 3
QueenReader, USA, more than 25
dhole5533, usa, 1
Rhiacat, Canada, 12
Isobel, Australia, 10
scandinavianmutt, France, 10
chauceriangirl, USA, 10
Ivy, USA, 10
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/2/2007
Freedom to Read Poster 1996
Take the "Banned Book Challenge."
When the censors come:
Download a form to let Freedom to Read know about challenges in your library or school. While you are on the Freedom to Read site, check their list of banned or challenged books.
Diane R. Chen at Deep Thinking deals with a challenge in her school.
Cooperative Children's Book Center, University of Wisconsin confidentially assists Wisconsin librarians and teachers when they are facing potential or actual book challenges. However, they publish a list of Steps to Take when confronted by a challenge. Read the story of how University of Wisconsin is helping educators.
The ALA (American Library Association) has information on Fighting Censorship.
The really brave can find a lesson plan using banned or challenged materials in the classroom. Curriculum Services Canada offers a novel approach to teaching art. Art History Goes Graphic offers a unique approach to the study of art history through the use of graphic novels.
Book Moot has advice on avoiding book challenges. Excerpts of the post are below.
Too often in the past year I have read reports of districts ignoring their own reconsideration policies to quiet one hysterical voice. I have also seen heartening stories where district policies are followed to the letter.
Librarians CAN innoculate themselves to a small degree to book challenges.
1. Do your students look forward to their time in the library?
2. Do you interact with your students?
3. Do you get to know their interests and reading strengths?
4. Would they recognize you in the hall?
5. Do parents hear about your "very cool" library program?
Or are you an "in-the-office" librarian, toiling away on MARC records, focusing on the administrative aspects of the job with little personal contact with the kids?
RULE #1 of book challenges--It is NEVER just about the book. Book challenges always include one or more of the following ingredients:
1. anger with someone at the school
2. parental guilt about not being there for their child in some way or fashion
3. a bid for attention and/or a desire to be someone of consequence and power
Finally, remember, it is all about "the Right Book for the Right Reader at the Right Time."
I find it upsetting that so many professional librarians seem to have lost the basic understandings of selection, reconsideration, in loco parentis, and intellectual freedom.
The main objection I have to the conversations [about banning Lucky] has been that we are trying to defend a single book rather than defending a fair and open process for selecting and retaining any instructional material in our schools.
As I remember from li-berry school, this is how professionals deal with the selection of and potential censorship of instructional materials:
1. They assure that the district has a board adopted selection/reconsideration policy. Oh, and they've read it.
2. They select all materials based on the stated selection criteria in the policy.
3. They select only materials based on authoritative and reliable review sources.
4. If they are asked to remove an item selected from the instructional program, they do not defend the material, but insist that the board adopted reconsideration policy and procedures be followed. This policy should require that a standing reconsideration committee be appointed at the beginning of each school year. When requested by the committee, they will provide the rationale and resources used for selection of the item under reconsideration.
5. Once a resource is selected, they do not restrict its use by any student. Professionals cannot act in the place of parents (in loco parentis) to restrict access to materials to individuals.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 3/2/2007
Freedom to Read Poster 1995
Take the "Banned Book Challenge."
Dr. Toni Samek has created and teaches a course on Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibilities at the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta and is also the convenor of the CLA Intellectual Freedom Advisory Committee. She has developed a web-based challenges form that received a very good response for 2006. From the responses, they have put together a list of some of the 2006 challenges to books and other materials found in school and public libraries in Canada in 2006, as well as the libraries' response. This was a first-time effort in gathering information from Canadian libraries through the Canadian Library Association listserv, and other places on the Internet that are frequented by librarians. She adds that this is not an all-encompassing list.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/28/2007
Thanks to traffic from Meg Cabot's Web Diary, we have had such an influx of people to our site that we have been banned from publishing until Blogger has time to review our site. It is a wonderful problem to have but that means I am writing this post that will be published once they realize we aren't selling anything. We have also had an influx of people who have registered for the "Banned Book Challenge."
Lauren, USA, 10
vickiebarker, USA, 10
Marissa, South Africa, 25
heidijane, UK, 4
CoversGirl, Australia, 4
Doppelganger, Canada, 5
chelle1018, USA, more than 25
Exitgrrl, Canada, 12
Meghan, USA, 10
Sleepless Mama, USA, 20
literaryaspiratons US, more than 25
Jerina Pillert, USA, more than 25
ElsBells, USA, 6
stormhollywing, USA, 10
trilyscastle, USA, 4
Tiara,USA, 20
Samantha, USA, 3
beej, USA, 1
Bellezza, USA, 5
bfly12jc, USA, 15
alpalpartygal, USA, 5
Lizzy, Canada, more than 25
muffin_joke, USA, 12
book_freak, USA, 20
bluecouture USA, 10
LadyMonday, USA, more than 25
misshappy4, USA, 5
bookmouse999, more than 25
evilpigsarecool, USA, more than 25
Jean Stowell, USA, 10
jraeusa24, USA, 3
i.kissthesky, Philippines, 4
Zarina USA, 12
Sunny0406, Sri Lanka, 10
Amy, Canada, 5
Sharon Becker, Canada, 20
74 people have pledged to read over 460 banned or challenged books.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/26/2007
Take the "Banned Book Challenge" and add to this list of readers who have set a goal to read banned or challenged books between February and June.
Canuck Librarian, Canada, 10
jfreeman, USA, 4
Kris, USA, 8
Stephanie, USA, 6
Wendy, USA, 1
rosencrantz79, USA, 15
Sally906, Australia, 3
Jim Dalton, Canada, 1
sarradee, USA, 5
Teddyrose,Canada, 2
chrisa511, USA, 8
Ian, Canada, 1
booklogged, USA, 7
raidergirl3, Canada, 6
Amy, Canada, 20
Head Tale, Canada, 6
Rebecca, Canada, 6
mdalido, canada, 8
Sandi, USA, 5
Bee, USA, 15
Koenigcw, USA, 5
sayonion, USA, 5
Julie B, USA, 5
Thirty-two people have set a total goal of 179 books to date (Don't hold me to these figures. If I had been better at math, I probably wouldn't have been a librarian.) Search the "report" label for a list of all readers.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/25/2007
Today marks the beginning of Freedom to Read Week in Canada. The Pelham Public Library challenges the world to read a banned or challenged book...or two...or three between February and June 2007. Register for the "Banned Book Challenge" and join challenged authors Meg Cabot, Deborah Ellis and Maryrose Wood as we celebrate our freedom to read.
Now where are all of the other challenged and banned authors -- Lois Lowry, Chris Crutcher, Madeleine L'Engle, Katherine Paterson? Who else is up for the challenge? Just drop me a line!
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/24/2007
Freedom to Read Poster 1993
Take the "Banned Book Challenge." Freedom to Read Week begins tomorrow.
While most of us in Canada can celebrate our freedom to read, I am reminded that freedom to read can also have a lot to do with having access to books and other materials.
Sheyfali Saujani talks about the challenge of curling up with a good computer as he informs Toronto Star readers of both the resources available to people who are "print challenged" and the challenges that remain in trying to find Canadian talking books. Contact information is available for readers with disabilities who wish to contact the CNIB and for volunteers who may wish to record books to make them accessible to others. 
Check out the Camel Book Drive for Keyna. Pictures and video of this unique way of making books accessible through the Camel Mobile Library show how the library comes to the people (Library 2.0 at work for all you librarians.)
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/22/2007
Freedom to Read Poster 1992
Freedom to Read invites you to:
Celebrate freedom of expression by participating in one of the many events taking place across Canada during Freedom to Read Week.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/20/2007
Freedom to Read Poster 1991
Take the "Banned Book Challenge."
Thanks to the Tinfoil Racoon who posted about the Frank Zappa Memorial Fund and how the family has designated funds to the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read Foundation.
Book Moot gives her opinion about the difference between a concerned parent and a book banning know nothing nutter (not my choice of words).
A Salt Lake City Review article about Bridge to Terabithia suggests that the movie might provide a teaching moment to talk to older children about death.
Teachers and child-development experts say while "Bridge to Terabithia" might be too much for young kids to handle, it could bring up a difficult subject families are often relucant to discuss, but should, with older kidsIn the wake of the Miami-Dade School Board controversy over a children's book on Cuba, a US organization called FREADOM, is bringing attention to documents and books that have been burned in Cuba that include a biography of Martin Luther King Jr. and George Orwell's Animal Farm. An editorial in the Orlando Sentinel tells how Freadom is encouraging US children to read books that have been burned in Cuba.
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/19/2007
Take the Banned Book Challenge along with our first week's committed readers.
Chuntzy from the U.K. takes on 2
Elaine from Canada takes on 6
Heather from Canada takes on 10
Elizabeth from Canada takes on 3
Amanda from the U.S. takes on 1
Communications Guru takes on 5
...for a goal to date of 27 banned or challenged books to read between February and June. Reviews to date will follow.
Freedom to Read Poster 1989
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/15/2007
Maryrose Wood, author of the challenged Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall In Love rises to the challenge. Find an excerpt here.
Says Maryrose Wood of our challenge,
What a fun invitation! Sure, I'll read as many banned books as I can manage. I'm madly writing the sequel to WHY I LET MY HAIR GROW OUT right now, so if I get pressed for time I can do a thorough survey of banned picture books. Those gay penguins are such scamps, aren't they?
xoxo
m
By: Elaine Anderson,
on 2/14/2007
At the Pelham Public Library, we are getting geared up for Freedom to Read Week. We are sending out the invitation for readers around the world to take the Banned Book Challenge.
Meg Cabot, author of the Princess Diaries, among other books for both youth and young adults is up for the challenge.
Meg says,
What a great idea! I would love to post a link to your site on my blog the week of your event. Would that be okay?Stay tuned to see which other authors have agreed to take the "Banned Book Challenge."
heidijane, UK
I know why the Caged Bird Sings
I'm guessing its because of the rape scene of an 8-year-old girl, although it may also be because it covers sensitive relations between white and blacks in the American South of the 1930s.
sarradee, USA
Things Fall Apart
Banned in Malaysia, not sure why, but it isn't allowed in that country anymore. Also, was banned in western Nigeria after Achebe made comments about veteran politician Obafeni Awolowo.
loverofbooks, USA
The Witches
I was impressed with the imagination of this author. It had to do with witches and how they wanted to wipe out children. I think it could be scary to kids who didn't understand that it was just fiction. It also had spells and most people get freaked out about it. My review of this book will be up on my site today sometime!(http://www.lvrofbooks.blogspot.com)
Katya, USA
Summer of My German Soldier
It was hard for me to figure out exactly why this book might have been challenged. Maybe because of the brutality of the father toward Patty. Or because people may have interpreted the love between Patty and Anton to be sexual and Patty is only 12. Or because Patty, as a Jewish girl, helps a Nazi prisoner of war. Those are my best guesses.
Elaine, Canada
Freedom Writers Diary
This book has been challenged because of its stark but realistic portrayal of life as a teenager, as well as for its language. Instead of banning this book, all concerned parents should read this book and allow their teens to read this inspiring book. It would seem to me that if this was required reading, we would begin to raise a generation of adults who might try to change conditions for "economically challenged" youth in the west.