Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to my stop on the Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop! This hop is being hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Jen from I Read Banned Books! It was inspired by the ALA’s Banned Books Week that runs from September 24th to October 1st. For more information on BBW, visit the ALA HERE.

I have been a supporter of Banned Books Week for about five years now. Although there are certain genres that I do not read (erotica, for instance), I firmly believe that no book should be removed from the shelves just because certain persons believe it immoral, racist, or whatever the reason. When I think of books being challenged/banned, Fahrenheit 451 always comes to mind. We do not want to become a society that burns books because the powers that be think they provoke dangerous thoughts and/or actions. That is why events like this are so important. This Monday - Friday, I will be featuring historical fiction books that have been banned/challenged, along with historical fiction authors who have had their works banned. Over at Castle Macabre, I will be featuring banned/challenged horror books and authors. Hope you will stop by!

Now for the giveaway goodies!

(Click covers for book descriptions)

Trade Paperback-movie tie-in edition

Years of, and reasons for, being challenged/banned:

2006-2008

Challenged at the Coleytown Middle School Library in Westport, Conn. (2007).  The school superintendent acknowledged that the book is "for mature readers" and also acknowledged that "the book is appropriate to be part of a middle-school library collection serving students from ages 11-14, many of whom possess the maturity level to read this book."

2007-2008

Moved to the faculty section of the John W. McDevitt Middle School library in Waltham, Mass. (2008) because its content was too frightening for middle school students.

2008-2009

Moved to the faculty section of the John W. McDevitt Middle School library in Waltham, Mass. (2008) because its content was too frightening for middle school students. 

Hardcover edition

2008-2009

Banned for just four days from the Beulah, N.Dak. High School library (2008). Two school employees followed school policy to request removing the book after their son brought it home from an accelerated‑reading program, in which students pick from a couple of hundred titles. The parents said the 1994 runaway nonfiction best seller was too pornographic and at odds with student behavior promoted in the school handbook. The board reversed its decision at the encouragement of the board president, who said the board moved too fast and unleashed a possible court case it would never win. He said there might be more palatable alternatives, like creating a list of restricted books that parents have to approve before their children can check them out. A decision to review school policies and investigate less‑restrictive means to control library books was approved by the school board.

(all info obtained at ala.org/bbooks)

To enter the giveaway, you must leave me a comment telling me your favorite banned book OR the name of a book you were surprised to hear was banned/challenged.  Also, let me know which book you would prefer.  Please include your email address for notification if you're a winner.  There will be 2 winners chosen by random.org  First winner chosen will receive their choice, second winner receives the remaining book.  Open to US only.  Giveaway ends October 1st at 11:59 pm CST and I will announce the winner on the 2nd or 3rd.  Winners will also be notified via email.  Winners must respond within 48 hours to the winning notification email, or another winner will be selected.

Thanks for 'hopping' by! Good luck!