Since 1982, the American Library Association has been making the public aware of the side effects that result from banning books. September 21-27, 2014, is an entire week dedicated to raising awareness and educating people about banned books. Books that some of us read every day and don't give a second thought about, books that are very important to our society, books that have the ability to speak for someone who cannot speak for themselves. This is what is being banned across America. I was very surprised when I looked up lists of banned/challenged books, and honestly, I was angry. I realize that some of the books on the list include mature content, but there are kids and young adults LIVING mature content every day of their lives. A lot of these young people feel completely alone, but if they had access to a book that deals with the same events that they are going through, it could very possibly help them. In Ellen Hopkins' RUMBLE, Matt's brother, Luke, commits suicide because nobody in his school can accept that he is gay and they bully him constantly. Matt's school is trying to ban the book THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, but Matt makes a really good point.
Charlie, the main character in PERKS, could have spoken for Luke when nobody else did.
Books have the power to speak for people who need it. Who are we to take this away?
For more information on banned/challenged books, visit the American Library Association's website.
Now on to the GIVEAWAY! I am participating in I Am A Reader and BookHounds' Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop! The winner will get to choose any TWO books as long as they are listed as banned/challenged. The American Library Association's website has lists if you need to check!
For more information on banned/challenged books, visit the American Library Association's website.
- THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold
- ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY by Mildred D. Taylor
- CUT by Patricia McCormick
- THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky
- CRANK by Ellen Hopkins
- JULIE OF THE WOLVES by Jean Craighead George
- SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson
- THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins
- LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
- TWILIGHT by Stephanie Meyer
- HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE by J.K. Rowling
- TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY by Jay Asher
Now on to the GIVEAWAY! I am participating in I Am A Reader and BookHounds' Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop! The winner will get to choose any TWO books as long as they are listed as banned/challenged. The American Library Association's website has lists if you need to check!
- This contest will run until September 28, 2014, at 12:00 AM central.
- US only
- Winner will have 48 hours to respond, otherwise I will have to pick a different winner.
- If you spread the word by tweeting, your account must have more than just different contest entires. The point of this entry method is to spread the word about the giveaway.
- Winning entry will be verified.
- Winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter.
Don't forget to visit all of the other blogs that are participating in this giveaway hop!