Feature: READING AND RIGHTS

READING AND RIGHTS

Scenario: Your Mom says you can't go see a movie because its R rated or you can't wear purple glitter eyeshadow because its tacky. If you are anything like me, that will just make you more determined to do what you want.

Switch the topic to books: I'm sure there are some books out there that your Mom doesn't want you to read because of sex scenes or violence or curse words. I know you sneak them out of the library and read them hidden under your covers. I personally have a stash under my bed of Jackie Collins classics (with the dirty pages dog-eared).

When your Mom tells you not to do something, she is probably saying so because deep down she is trying to protect you and has your best interests at heart --- even if she is being a total tyrant. However, when a schoolboard or a local city council or a senator tries to tell you what to read or not to read, that's a different thing.

September 22nd marks the beginning of Banned Books Week. This week was started to celebrate the freedom to express opinions (even if those opinions are unpopular) and focuses on making sure all opinions (and the books said opinions can be found in) can be accessed by anyone who wishes to read them. In essence, it celebrates the very freedoms of speech and expression that America was based upon.

So while it may not be a good idea to defy your Mom and wear a red miniskirt to your sister's wedding, it IS a good idea to stand up to censors.

Take a gander at the list of books below. They are all on the American Library Association's list of top 100 challenged and banned books. Many are classics and favorites that you have probably read. Take some time this month to pick up a title or two from the list and take a stand for freedom of speech.

THE CHOCOLATE WAR
by Robert Cormier
Laurel Leaf
ISBN: 0440944597
191 pages

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
by J.D. Salinger
Little Brown & Company
ISBN: 0316769533
277 pages

THE GIVER
by Lois Lowry
Bantam Doubleday Dell Books
ISBN: 0553571338
180 pages

A DAY NO PIGS WOULD DIE
by Robert Newton Peck
Random House
ISBN: 0679853065
150 pages

A WRINKLE IN TIME
by Madeleine L’Engle
Yearling
ISBN: 0440498058
211 pages

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
by Harper Lee
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060194995
323 pages

THE PIGMAN
by Paul Zindel
Bantam Starfire
ISBN: 0553263218
158 pages

ATHLETIC SHORTS
by Chris Crutcher
Laurel Leaf
ISBN: 0440213908

THE FACE ON THE MILK CARTON
by Caroline Cooney
Laurel Leaf
ISBN: 0440220653
184 pages

I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
by Maya Angelou
Random House
ISBN: 0394429869

--- By Jennifer Abbots