If you read, you probably know that this week (September 24-October 1) is Banned Books Week. This is the week were people everywhere celebrate the right to read anything and everything that they want. I feel really offended personally when I hear about books being challenged and banned; books have been a major part and influence in who I am as a person. I even feel like my life would be different if I hadn't read the books I've read. I think that it important that everyone's opinion is heard; people may have their own personal opinions on the topics discussed, but they have no right to take an other person opinion and ban it from public view.

ALA has a list of the top ten challenged books of 2010 and I thought I would list and talk about the ones I've read. (If I've read it it's in orange. If I haven't it's in blue)

1) And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

2) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

3) Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

4) Crank, by Ellen Hopkins

I actually haven't read Crank yet, but I have read other books by Ellen Hopkins and they all have been mind blowingly amazing. They do deal with topics that to some might seem controversial, but they are realistic and thought-provoking.

5) The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games. Who hasn't read this at this point? I see no reason why anybody would ban this.

6) Lush, by Natasha Friend
 
7) What My Mother Doesn't Know, by Sonya Sones

Another amazing novel told in verse. I think verse novels in particular are challenged just because they seem more raw and realistic. I'm guessing this one was challenged because some lying does occur in the book. I guess the people who challenged it never lie themselves? 

8) Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich

9) Revolutionary Voices, edited by Amy Sonnie
 
10) Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer

This one falls into The Hunger Games category with WHO HASN'T READ THIS. Twilight is all in good fun. All sane people know that vampires are fiction. It isn't telling its readers to go sign a contact with satan.

So what do you think about books being banned? What are some of your favorite banned books? Have anything cool you are doing for banned books week?

Happy Banned Books Week and happy reading!

 --Alexis

"Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.
 
Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should?"

Sounds great right? I'm happy to say that today on the blog I'll be featuring Mary Ting (the author herself!). 






"About Crossroads