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.

To Ban or Not to Ban Mark Twain's Works

As a look-ahead to the upcoming recognition of Banned Books Week, let's briefly consider Mark Twain's issues in this arena. Some of the author's works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, outraged certain groups for the books' treatment of race, social mores, and personal character. A considerable portion of Twain's literary and commercial publishing career involved dealing with these and other charges. Over the decades since the publication of Twain's principal works, some of Twain's antagonists demanded the removal his titles from library shelves or offered highly negative, influential criticism of his books. Twain has also had his share of advocates, who have defended his right to write or his perspective on specific topics.

This episode in American literary and social history is a fascinating one, filled with intriguing personalities and contemporary relevance. Enslow Publishers' "Authors of Banned Books" series features writers who have struggled with censorship and book banning. Mark Twain: Banned, Challenged, and Censored provides a thoughtful, age-appropriate perspective on the issues and individuals associated with Twain's controversial works. Author Michelle M. Houle's 160-page book includes a rich lode of source material, further reading options, and succinct definitions of key terms that frame a consideration of censorship and banning.

Mark Twain: Banned, Challenged, and Censored is available in a library-bound edition for $25.95; the price represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price for this title.

On this day in 1863, who used a pseudonym for the first time?

Samuel Langhorne Clemens (better known as Mark Twain) used that name as a pen name for the first time.

According to Mark Twain: Banned, Challenged, and Censored, the phrase mark twain is a riverboat term for two fathoms, or twelve feet. It was used to denote the line between safe and dangerous waters.

In this book, written by Michelle M. Houle, she discusses Twain's life and times, analyzes two of his best-known books, and explores both sides of the argument over censorship. She helps readers decide for themselves about whether Twain's books 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.

On this day in history

Samuel L. Clemens (aka Mark Twain) passed away on this date in 1910 in Connecticut.

Mark Twain Banned, Challenged, and Censored
Author: Michelle M. Houle
State Affiliation of Author: PA
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2689-6
Publication Year: 2008
Interest Level: Grades 9-12
Page Count: 160

Mark Twain—the pen name of Samuel L. Clemens—is considered to be one of the greatest American writers, and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is thought by many to be the most important American novel. However, the language and attitudes in Twain's books make many people uncomfortable, since they reflect a more racist time in our country's history. As a result, there is a great deal of controversy over whether his books should be taught in school. Author Michelle M. Houle discusses Twain's life and times and analyzes two of his best known books. She also explores the history of book censorship, outlining why it occurs and possible ways to address it. She helps readers make up their own minds about whether the books should be banned.