"Here you go. Just don't let anyone know where you got it."
My high school librarian was semi-joking as I checked out "Catch-22." But she was semi-serious, too.
The Joseph Heller classic is on the list of frequently challenged books, and her words come back to me every year during Banned Books Week.
According to the American Library Association website, the World War II novel -- which contains objectionable language -- was banned in Strongsville, Ohio, in 1972, but the school board's action was overturned by a district court ruling in 1976. It was also challenged in the Dallas Independent School District high school libraries in 1974 and in Snoqualmie, Wash., in 1979. No wonder my librarian was skittish.
This week is the 30th anniversary of the first Banned Books Week. The library association keeps track of books that have been banned as well as those that are challenged, which is defined as "an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others."
In addition to classic works ("The Grapes of Wrath," "To Kill a Mockingbird"), many of the books on the list are young adult fiction. The urge to protect children and teenagers from language, sexual situations and even witchcraft in books seems a little overwhelming. The Harry Potter series tops the list, but old favorites such as "Forever" and "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret" by Judy Blume continue to be challenged.
As a mother, I have told my pre-teen daughter that some books she has picked out are inappropriate for her age, but I'd rather that she learn and grow with books under my guidance than watch some of the mind-numbing TV shows aimed at her age group.
I encourage my daughters to read and explore the world through literature. Fiction can expand our minds, and nonfiction can give us a glimpse into the lives of others. YA fiction is some of my favorite reading material, and I often pass along my favorites (both old and new) to my 12-year-old.
I haven't decided which banned book I will read to honor this week, but I know I have a lot of choices.
What's your favorite banned book?
According to the American Library Association, the top 20 challenged/banned books in 2000-09 were
1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
2. Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
3. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
4. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
7. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
9. ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
11. Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers
12. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
15. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
16. Forever, by Judy Blume
17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
18. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
20. King and King, by Linda de Haan
See the top 100 here.Read more about Banned Books Week at the American Library Association.
