Thursday Thirteen: 13 Banned Books I Have Read
Thursday 13 #9
Ah, the lure of the Forbidden. Generally all that happens when you challenge a book is that you make other folks curious, and then they want to read it. And then, chances are, someone will want to make a movie out of it. Which will, of course, make folks curious about the book again. Especially if you insist on protesting the film. All that does is provide free marketing. So, really, if you don’t like a book, that’s just fine. Don’t read it. The moment you try to stop others from reading it too, your attempts are just going to have the opposite effect from what you want.
Seriously. It’s like telling me not to touch something. I have never outgrown the childish need to come running over and say “I’m not touching it” while waving my hands really close to whatever the item is. Anyway, here is a list of Thirteen Banned or Challenged books that I have read. What Forbidden Literature have you perused? If you need a little memory jog, check out ALA’s Banned Books Site.
1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Liked it)
2. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling (Loved them)
3. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (Depressed me)
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (It was okay)
5. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Liked it)
6. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (Loved it)
7. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak (Liked it)
8. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George (Liked it)
9. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Liked it more than I expected to)
10. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (Loved it)
11. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (Depressed me)
12. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein (Loved it)
13. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney (Liked it)
Be sure to check out the Thursday 13 over at Write Anyway. It is all about Freedom this week. (I should know…I’m guest posting there while JM is away.)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson, The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger, James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl, A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle, In the Night Kitchen, Maurice Sendak, Julie of the Wolves, Jean Craighead George, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton, Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes, A Light in the Attic, Shel Silverstein, The Face on the Milk Carton, Caroline Cooney
October 4th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Great list! Looks a lot like my TT this week.
Happy Banned Books week!
October 4th, 2007 at 1:14 am
Wow I didnt know some of the books were banned. I have read 1 and 2 too
Happy TT!
October 4th, 2007 at 4:20 am
[...] check out the Thursday Thirteen at the Book Stacks where Elisa lists 13 banned books she has [...]
October 4th, 2007 at 4:20 am
That is just sad.
My 13 is up on
Working at Home Mom
October 4th, 2007 at 4:57 am
This is a great TT to do. I don’t think you can ever say enough on this subject. I honestly can’t understand people who want to ban books or burn them. The narrowness of their minds is just so sad.
These are great books by wonderful writers. Some were even required reading when I went to school. I wonder how many students read them now.
On a happier note, I’m doing a Sci Fi Octoberfest this month and my TT is 13 reasons to join in the fun.
October 4th, 2007 at 5:42 am
As much as I read, I have a few on that list that I haven’t read. Good list.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:47 am
I didn’t know these books were banned! I’ve read most of them….
October 4th, 2007 at 7:44 am
Loved Finn, Potter and Mockingbird, HATED Catcher! Great list!
October 4th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
It’s really sad to see what kind of books have been banned at one time or another. To Kill a Mockingbird was one of the books my British penfriend gave me and which we later read at school. I really, really liked it.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I’ve read a lot of those — and then some. Heck, my kids and I love Captain Underpants. And my favorite read of almost all time is now under fire in certain places.
There’s a lot to be learned from books that have content that some object to — which is why it’s important that those books not be banned but discussed instead.
October 4th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
The Face on the Milk Carton and its sequels were heart-wrenching reads for me. As a Mom, I just couldn’t imagine.
Happy TT!
October 4th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Kate - what better way to celebrate banned book week, eh?
Rims - Yay for you! Read those banned books.
jennifer - I agree.
Gabriella - I couldn’t agree with you more.
Minkydo - Which ones have you read?
October 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
momhuebert - some of the strangest (in my opinion) books have been banned or challenged.
Janet - Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked my list.
Sandra - Mockingbird is a true classic. Sounds like you had a cool pen friend.
Susan - I love reading Captain Underpants out loud. Tra-la-la!
Denise - Ah, but you did read them. Good on you.
October 5th, 2007 at 2:56 am
This is a great list. It highlights many of the wonderful books that have been challenged or banned.
http://njwalters.blogspot.com
October 10th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
[...] If you like this list, check out Elisa’s Thursday 13. [...]