The last couple of years I think I’ve always made a mention of Banned Books Week but for some reason or another I just haven’t been able to really participate by reading a banned book. Not so this year.
Thanks to Stefanie, Eva, Nymeth and many others of you who’ve recently mentioned the importance of celebrating the freedom to read, I decided that I had to make my contribution. So I looked on the ALA list of frequently challenged books and decided to read, The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. In this decade so far the book has been one of the top 10 challenged books list six times.
The Chocolate War is about a high school boy, Jerry Renault, who ponders the question on the poster in his locker: Do I dare disturb the universe? I think I already like it but here’s a snippet from the first page describing a game:
“They murdered him. As he turned to take the ball, a dam burst against the side of his head and a hand grenade shattered his stomach.”
How’s that for a description? Anyway, how about you, are you reading a banned book this week?
i m not goingto go out and buy anything… if i find a book i have that is banned… i will read it…
whattttaa description… :()
i found 2!!!!!! Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Catcher in the Rye .. both i haven’t read 😀
ok there u go, i will TRY reading it 😀
brrrrrrrr.. uhh ohhh. Things Fall Apart is not Bolded so it is not challenged/banned. 🙁
Now what do i do 🙁
When I look at the lists, I am shocked and amazed at how many truly wonderful books are banned. To Kill a Mockingbird? In Cold Blood? The Giver? These are some of the best books I have ever read! It just gets me riled up when I think about it!
Oh Chocolate War is a good one. I read it in college in a young adult literature class. If I recall correctly it is rather grim, one of those dark sides of being a teen kinds of books. Enjoy!
I read Chocolate War for Banned Books Week my first year of blogging! It was A LOT darker than I expected. And it kind of reminded me of A Seperate Peace…I’m glad I read it, but I didn’t love it. I’m looking forward to your thoughts!
Oooh…that teaser and Eva’s comparison to A Separate Peace really makes me want to read it. I’m done with my banned book – The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson. It’s lovely and funny and sweet, but it was banned because two girls kiss and then struggle with their sexual orientation *rolls eyes*
I read The Chocolate War and I’m pretty sure it was an assigned book in my middle school, but that was such a long time ago that I can’t remember for sure.
I’m going to try to pick up one or two banned books when I go to the library tonight because I need to stop by there anyway and I’d hate for the week to go by without me attemoting at least one banned book!
Veens – Ah darn, well, you can always pick one up later or just remember banned book week for next year! 🙂
Sandy – I know. And, the reasons for why they are challenged are so ridiculous sometimes. It just makes you wonder!
Stefanie – I’m looking forward to getting more into the book. I can’t believe it’s been out for so long and I don’t remember ever really hearing about it when I was in school. Gah, I hope it wasn’t a “challenged” book in my school district at the time!
Eva – I really liked a Separate Peace so I’m very curious now!
Nymeth – It does right? I need to read your review of the Bermudez Triangle. Oh yea, I can see how that’s such a subversive book it has to be banned! 😉
Stephanie – I can’t believe years have passed by and I hadn’t joined in so that’s why I had to read a banned book this week. Don’t know that I’ll finish it this week but you know. Have fun at the library and looking forward to hearing what you choose!
I am going to have to read The Chocolate War now. It has followed me around the book blogging world all evening.
I’m reading Lolita and that last couple of pages have been amazing in pacing, style, language…
and oh yea: content that would get it banned.
I can’t believe I saw The Kite Runner on the Banned Books 09 list. I gues I will need to read that one just for that reason.
vivienne – I know, it’s popping up over a lot of blogs hasn’t it? I’m still at the beginning but I like it!
Care – that’s a great story. it’s been years since I’ve read it but I remember our book club had a great discussion about it!
LK – I think I know why it probably got banned. I really liked the story a lot – there were some things I wish had been done a bit differently but still good.
I’m not reading a banned book this week, but I do some sort of banned books challenge each year… I find that most of the books on the banned lists end up being my favorites or at least well-liked – I am very grateful that I don’t live in a place with censorship.
Enjoy The Chocolate War, it sounds intense. I just read Beloved.
I am actually! But at first I didn’t realize it’s a banned book. I started reading J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace, which is about a professor who lost his job after having an affair with his student. It’s very tense and clever.
I don’t really have time to pick up a banned book this week, but I love the whole concept of reading banned books and should make a point of getting to one soon!
Joanna – I know isn’t that funny? I just heard about a case here in Texas about some parents challenging a book that hadn’t even been written yet! Can you imagine? I need to find the details again and post about it because it was just so ridiculous.
bookworm – It is intense but if you made it through Beloved then you could do this one 🙂
Matt – Oh I love Disgrace! It is such an amazing book. Very grim but just so good. I can’t wait to read your thoughts on it!
Dorothy W. – I know, isn’t it cool? I feel all like a rebel or something 🙂
I’ve this book in my pile! I look forward to your review, Iliana! 🙂