Rebel Readers

NEA Today, Sep 2006

What do Toni Morrison, J.D. Salinger, and Judy Blume have in common?

BESIDES BEING AUTHORS beloved by hard-core and reluctant readers alike, their titles are among the top 10 most-challenged works of 2005, according to the American Library Association.

But censorship efforts often backfire. Recently, schools in University Place, Washington, banned Geography Club, in which a group of gay students form a club (with a name so boring that nobody else would show up.) Bob Koreis, a librarian at nearby Federal Way High School, said that once GC was pulled from school shelves, other local libraries and bookstores couldn't keep it in stock.

"Kids are so much better at selling books [than adults]," Koreis said. "Once word-of-mouth happens, [the book] stays checked out." (Talk about promoting a culture of reading!)

To fight censorship, Koreis says it's crucial to have a plan and a standing committee in place prior to a challenge. He also promotes Banned Books Week (September 23-30) by wrapping books in chains and other attention-getting displays. Find your inspiration at www.ala.org/bbooks.