It's Banned Books Week

For Banned Books Week, Enslow's series Authors of Banned Books contains five titles, each of which contains a brief biography of a banned author.

Some people have contended that the Harry Potter books endorse witchcraft, and that children should not read them. The author, Joan Vos MacDonald, analyzes the books and explores both sides of the argument over censorship.

John Steinbeck's life and several of his most controversial works are analyzed by author Maurene J. Hinds. The history of book censorship is explored to help readers understand both sides of the debate.

Madeleine L'Engle's titles have been banned because they endorse an occult philosophy. Author Marilyn McClellan discusses L'Engle's work, life, and beliefs, while looking at both sides of this censorship debate.

Michelle M. Houle discusses Mark Twain's life and times, analyzes two of his best-known books, and explores both sides of the censorship argument. There is a great deal of controversy over whether his books should be taught in schools because of Twain's language and attitudes in his writing, which reflect a more racist time in the history of this country.

Wendy Hart Beckman discusses the life of Robert Cormier, analyzes three of his books, and helps readers understand both sides of the censorship debate.

Each of these titles include a page of discussion questions, giving the reader ideas for discussing these books with their classmates and peers.

All of these titles are available from your preferred vendor, independent bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Banned Books Week

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-2688-9

Even though Banned Books Week doesn't start until next week, we thought we would blog about it early. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 after a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books  in school, libraries, and bookstores.

John Steinbeck is one author who has several books added to the banned books list, Of Mice and Men and The Pearl. The Grapes of Wrath has also been a frequent target on this list. Of Mice and Men has been banned for its use of racial slurs, profanity, and violence.

John Steinbeck: Banned, Challenged, and Censored, written for the high school student, discusses East of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, and Of Mice and Men, and talks about the challenges to these books.

It's Banned Books Week

ISBN 978-0-7660-2688-9
Grades 9-12

Looking at the list of classic titles on the banned books list, John Steinbeck has written The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. One of the main reasons Steinbeck's books are on the Banned Books list is because of their use of obscene language. Racism, sexuality, and other issues play a part, but obscene language is the recurring theme.

Enslow's Authors of Banned Books series includes titles on Mark Twain, Robert Cormier, Madeleine L'Engle, J.K. Rowling, and John Steinbeck. These titles include arguments of those opposed to these books and arguments of the books' supporters to help readers decide for themselves whether they should be banned.

Enslow supports Banned Books Week

Each of the following five titles in Enslow's Banned Book series highlights authors and their books that may have been banned from school and library collections. Founded in 1982, this annual campaign is meant to bring attention to the importance of the freedom to read. Librarians and teachers celebrate the ability to retain frequently-challenged books in their collections while encouraging readers to examine banned and challenged books.

J.K. Rowling
John Steinbeck
Madeleine L’Engle
Mark Twain
Robert Cormier

Need books for Banned Books Week (Sept 25 through Oct 2)?

Are your students looking for books about banned books? Enslow has five books in its Authors of Banned Books series. Featuring J.K. Rowling, John Steinbeck, Madeleine L'Engle, Mark Twain, and Robert Cormier, these titles inform students about free press issues and provides arguments for and against the books.