It’s censorship party time again...that’s right, the 27th anniversary of Banned Books Week will be observed this year from September 27 to October 4.

“What?” you ask, “We’re still talking about banning books?”

You bet your sweet manuscript we are.  But Banned Books Week isn’t just about challenged books.  See what the American Library Association has to say about it:

“BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.”

This year’s challenged writers include, but are not limited to:  Mark Twain ("The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"), Philip Pullman ("The Golden Compass"), Steven Chbosky ("The Perks of Being a Wallflower"), Alice Walker ("The Color Purple"), and Maya Angelou ("I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings").  Three cheers for Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” and “The Bluest Eye,” which finally made it off the list this year!

Since Chicago is the proud home of the ALA, BBW is kicking off downtown at Pioneer Plaza this Saturday afternoon, September 27th.  The Annual Banned Books Week Read Out! will feature several authors of challenged books reading their work to the madding crowd, as well as musical performances of banned or challenged pieces by the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Come down and celebrate the freedom to read (and write!), but if you can’t make it, definitely visit the ALA’s website and read up on how you can get involved in Banned Books Week activities. 

For more information on this year’s most frequently challenged titles, how the list is tabulated, or why certain books are challenged or banned, check out the ALA’s Frequently Challenge Books section.  What you find may surprise and inspire you!