Sunday February 26th, 2012 Freedom to Read Week

From February 26 to March 3, celebrate Freedom to Read week. Every year events are held across Canada to “encourage Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed them under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” Books and other publications are still being challenged today and libraries are regularly asked to remove books from their collection. Freedom to Read raises awareness of these ongoing issues to remind Canadians that they have the freedom to choose what they read. For more information and a list of challenged books go to www.freedomtoread.ca. In support of Freedom to Read Week, visit one of your Thunder Bay Public Library branches and read one of these challenged titles.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a well known classic about the adventures of two outcasts’ as they journey down the Mississippi River. Since being published in 1884, Twain’s novel has been both praised and condemned. Challenged and removed from libraries and schools for years due to its language and characters, this novel continues to make news even today. Just recently NewSouth Books announced that they would be publishing a new edition of Huckleberry Finn featuring the less offensive word “slave”. Other classic novels that have been challenged for similar reasons are the Pulitzer Prize winner To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

For its wizardry, witchcraft and magic, The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling have faced numerous challenges from parents and others throughout Canada. The popular series for readers of all ages is the story of Harry Potter, his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and their adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Other popular young adult series challenged by parents, in this case for stories of vampires and supernatural characters, are the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris and the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer.

Even children's pictures books are challenged such as And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. Based on the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo that take care of an abandoned egg, this book has been challenged for its age inappropriateness, anti-family and religious viewpoint. Author Maurice Sendak has had numerous of his popular picture books challenged including Where the Wild Things Are for its supernatural characters and In the Night Kitchen for nudity. Examples of other challenged children’s stories are The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant, The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.

Support your freedom to read by reading one of these challenged titles, all of which are available at your Thunder Bay Public Library. If you are the owner of a challenged book, you can “free it” by participating in Bookcrossing: Free a Challenged Book. People all around the world are releasing books into their community to help spread the word about challenged and banned books. Instructions on how to get involved can be found on the Freedom to Read website or BookCrossing.com.

Lindsey Long