October is such a great month for books!

October is a great month for books because there are at least two wonderfully fun celebrations that I know of going on.

This is the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week. A week long celebration of our freedom to read what we please, Banned Books Week has inspired schools, librarians, booksellers, & the general public to question what (if any) limits should be put on reading. The top ten most challenged titles of 2011 include The Hunger Games and My Mom's Having A Baby! A Kid's Month-by-Month Guide to Pregnancy. You can see the full list as well as check for local events on the Banned Books Week website.

On a more delicious note, October is also National Cookie & National Book month. During the month of October, if you donate a book at a Great American Cookies store, you'll receive a free regular cookie of your choice! Get more information on the book drive and find participating locations.

Do you know of any other awesome bookish events in October?

Banned Books Week September 26 - October 3

Banned Books Week has arrived again! This is a week where the freedom to read whatever you please and the First Amendment are celebrated. Many books and authors have been challenged over the years for many varying issues such as homosexuality, sexually explicit content, drugs, violence, or just plain old offensive language.

Censorship is a dangerous thing because once it gets started, there is no foreseeable end in sight. Therefore, during this week people are encouraged to explore books that have been challenged or banned and to attempt open and frank discussions surrounding their content.

Some popular and familiar titles that have been challenged or banned include, but are most certainly not limited to:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

A present day example of attempted censorship is available by studying what happened to Ellen Hopkins in Normal, Oklahoma. She was UNINVITED to come speak to eighth graders because A parent requested that her book be reconsidered. Story here.

So celebrate your right to read freely! Enjoy the attached links providing information on events across the country, banned/challenged book lists, and what you can do!

Events
Statistics
Lists: Classics 100 Most Frequently Challenged
You can help!