Every September, libraries across the nation celebrate our freedom to read by highlighting books that some people think you shouldn’t be allowed to read in your school or library. The list of the challenged books might surprise you. For example, among 2020’s ten most challenged books are works by two winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature. This year we are celebrating both our community and the freedom to read by highlighting local people reading challenged books. On Friday, the beginning of the weekend, we put up the last post, a visit to Larchmont Tavern. Click on Read More below to see all five. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak seems a fitting title for John from the Larchmont Tavern, lol. In the past, this book has been challenged for having supernatural elements and a child who yells at his mother. Through Banned Books Week, we celebrate the freedom to read!
Thursday, Mamaroneck High School’s Elizabeth Crain – One of the challenges to The Color Purple by Alice Walker is “offensive language,” a laughable objection for most high school principals. MHS Principal Liz Crain supports the freedom to read!
Wednesday, James from Larchmont Fire Department – Some communities have attempted to ban Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling for referring to magic and witchcraft. That seems crazy to firefighter James Shanahan who likes to catch up with the Hogwarts between emergency calls.
Tuesday, Jack from Jack’s Barbershop – It’s not often that Jack has time to read when at his barbershop. But, when he does, Dr. Seuss is one of his favorite authors. In California in 1989, a parent who owned a logging business tried to have The Lorax removed from his child’s school library because it was “criminalizing the logging industry.” How lucky we are to have the freedom to choose what we read!
Monday, Nancy from Foley Hardware – Nancy didn’t realize that the Captain Underpants book series by Dave Pilkey has been challenged for years for “offensive language” and “inappropriate content for age group.” What Nancy DOES know is that her grandson LOVED the series and couldn’t read them fast enough! Through Banned Books Week, people around the country celebrate the freedom to read.
Tomorrow – Principal Elizabeth Clain from Mamaroneck High School.