Banned Books Week Book Readout, Sept. 26
Banned Books week is part of a national coalition celebrating the freedom to read. The week draws awareness for banned and challenged books in schools, bookstores, and libraries.
- date: 09/26/18
- time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- location: Area across from gallery, second floor of Criss Library • maps
Criss Library is hosting a Banned and Challenged Book Readout Wednesday, September 26, 2018.
Banned Books Week is a celebration of our freedom to read without censorship, judgement, or interference. The goal of the week is to create awareness of banned and challenged books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. According to the American Library Association:
“Banned Books Week … spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers — in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.”
During Banned Books Week, Criss Library is hosting a banned books readout. On September 26, 12pm-2pm UNO students, faculty, and staff will read excerpts from commonly challenged and banned books in the space across from the gallery.
Sign up to read for a 5-10 minute time slot by emailing Erin Painter, epainter@unomaha.edu. You can sign up to read your favorite book or Erin can help you select a book or excerpt.
Having trouble deciding what to read? A few of the top challenged books for 2017 are:
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher: This book re-emerged as a popular book following the release of the Netflix series by the same name. It is frequently challenged because it deals with issues surrounding suicide. https://unomaha.on.worldcat.org/oclc/85622684
- Drama by Raina Telgemeier: A graphic novel about a high school production of a play, Drama has been challenged and banned in school libraries and classrooms because it features LGBTQ characters. https://unomaha.on.worldcat.org/oclc/767824903
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: This tragic story of two young boys growing up in Afghanistan during a crucial time of change frequently tops the list of banned and challenged books. It is challenged because it includes sexual violence and challengers claim it “promotes Islam” and “leads to terrorism”. https://unomaha.on.worldcat.org/oclc/51615359
- George by Alex Gino: The main character of this book is a transgender fourth grader struggling with her gender identity and bullying by classmates. This book has been challenged because it features a transgender child. https://unomaha.on.worldcat.org/oclc/900624128
Find more commonly challenged books here:
Visit bannedbooksweek.org to learn more about the coalition's efforts.
For more information on banned and challenged books, visit the American Library Association (ALA) online.