Banned Books Week

Not every book is my cup of tea. When my children were growing up there might have been books I didn't want my kids to read because of their age. But I looked at those as my reading choices and my parenting choices. It never even occurred to me to try and ban a book for an entire school district or community. Sadly, we seem to be living in opposite world now where books are banned wily-nilly, often for random reasons by people who haven't even read the whole book.

My family will tell you that I am happy to go off on a rant about book banning at the drop of a hat. But I'll try to restrain myself and simply say that I believe that if you are a member of a majority you have a duty to protect not just what is familiar to you but also the beliefs/experiences/needs of the minority. So if you are white or straight or Christian, or whatever is the majority in your particular community, don't forget about the minority groups. We all deserve to find ourselves on the shelves of our local libraries.

Mark Banned Book Week (October 4-10) by reading a Banned Book. Last year I read 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult. As a mother who sent children off to school it was a frightening book. But it also helped me see a horrific event from many viewpoints. Would I let a 5th grader read this book? No. A high school student? Definitely. As parents we may not want to admit it but students live with the possibility of school shootings every day. Removing this book from their orbit won't make them unaware of school shooting, suicide, bullying. This year I'm going to pick up Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I'm not even sure why this book was banned. And it is not the first banned book that had me asking Why?

Reading some banned books isn't easy. Yes, it may be uncomfortable. But just remember, for someone else it could be the perfect book. The book that changes the way they think about themself or their world. Would you deny them that experience?

I have a suggestion if a book isn't your cup of tea - don't read it! But don't erase it from your community.

How do you feel about book banning? Have you read any banned books?

Want to learn more about Banned Books? Check out the info and lists on PEN America.