Each year the book community (librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, BLOGGERS and of course, readers) celebrates our freedom to read during Banned Books Week. Banned Books Week supports and promotes the value of freedom of speech (in written form!) and open access to information, even if some may consider the content unsuitable or offensive.

By creating awareness of efforts made to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week brings international attention to the harms of censorship. Check out the frequently challenged books section on the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week site to explore some of the most challenged books.

This year is the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week, and to mark the occasion, I thought it was time I had a look at some of the ‘controversial’ books. And what I found really surprised me:

1. The Harry Potter series are the most challenged books of the past decade. REALLY? I mean, of all the books directed at youth, the Potter books are pretty tame. I get that some feel that witchcraft is evil, but it’s FICTION. Sheesh. Have an imagination people.
2. The Hunger Games and Twilight series are among the most challenged books in the last 3 years. Do people not understand just how many teens are actually reading BECAUSE of these books?? To take them away would be harmful to our youth! (OK, perhaps not reading Twilight might be a good thing, but at least they’re reading!)
3. Books that are considered classics are often challenged books. To Kill A Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye and The Color Purple come up again and again. It’s sad to think that there are people out there who don’t think these books should be read!

Do you read Banned Books? How many on the list have you read? In honour of BBW, I plan to make my next read a Banned Book! Stay tuned for my thoughts on whether I felt the book deserved it’s judgement.