Happy Banned Books Week

This week, through Oct. 6, is Banned Books Week, a celebration of freedom to read in the face of censorship, supported by the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom and many libraries and organizations worldwide. Harry Potter is the most challenged set of books in the 21st century, and though it has taken a brief rest from the limelight in the 2006 Top 10 list (probably because there was no Potter book released that year), it remains one of the most vocally opposed series of books in history. This standing builds on august precedent set by books like Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach,” and J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye.”

To show your support for Banned Books Week, read a banned book, display an image of support, and tell people why it’s important to support the right to read whatever you like. You can get images from the ALA press kit here, and find suggestions from the ALA on how to celebrate this event here.

Read banned books proudly!