Banned Books Week

Each year during the last week of September libraries across the country celebrate Banned Books Week, an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. This year Banned Books Week runs from September 24 - October 1.

The American Library Association compiles a list of the top ten most challeneged or banned books each year. Over the past ten years here are some of the children's books that have made that list:

* Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
* Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz
* Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
* And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
* Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
* The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
* In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
* Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
* Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
* Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Did any of your favorite books make the list? Aren't you glad we have the freedom to read what we want? Here at the library we think it is worth celebrating. Visit the Banned Books week website @
http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/.