Banned Books Week wrapping up with events in Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Banned Books Week is wrapping up, honoring what organizers call freedom to read.
The American Library Association began Banned Books Week began in 1982, after challenges to books skyrocketed.
Every year, the ALA said, Banned Books Week "highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas."
Events were held throughout the week in Chicago for Banned Books Week.
City Lit Theater company members has been performing live dramatic readings of short excerpts of the top 10 most frequently banned books at multiple venues in the city and suburbs—with the last coming up at noon Saturday at the Blackstone Branch Library, 4904 S. Lake Park Ave. The City Lit Theater series is called "Books on the Chopping Block."
Bookstores around Chicago have also held events or offered discounts. Women & Children First Bookstore, at 5233 N. Clark St. in Andersonville, holds a Banned Books Group year-round on the second Monday of each month.
According to the ALA, the top 10 most challenged books for last year, 2023, were:
1. "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe, an autobiographical comic about the author's journey of self-identity—including challenges with adolescent crushes and coming out to family, bonding over erotic gay fanfiction with friends, and facing the trauma of pap smears. Reasons for bans: LGBTQIA+ content, claims of being sexually explicit.
2. "All Boys Aren't Blue," by George M. Johnston, a series of personal essays by the prominent journalist and LGBTQ+ activist exploring his formative years and college days in New Jersey and Virginia. The stories include memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies when he was 5, going to flea markets with his grandmother, and his first sexual relationships. Reasons for bans: LGBTQIA+ content, claims of being sexually explicit.
3. "This Book is Gay," by Juno Dawson, a book touted as the "instruction manual" that some say everyone should receive along with a membership card upon coming out as a lesbian, gay man, bisexual, or trans person. Reasons for bans: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claims of being sexually explicit.
4. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky, a coming-of-age novel about a shy and intelligent high school freshman named Charlie who is traumatized by the suicide of his best friend. Charlie navigates his way through high school and experiences with sex, drugs, family issues, and loss. Reasons for bans: claims of being sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity.
5. "Flamer," by Mike Curato, a graphic novel telling the story of a young teenage boy away at summer camp named Aiden Navarro – as he deals with bullying, friendships, and a boy he can't get out of his mind as he finds his way toward self-acceptance. Reasons for bans: LGBTQIA+ content and claims of being sexually explicit.
6. "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison, the story of Black 11-year-old girl named Pecola Breedlove who grows up in a violent household after the Great Depression. Reasons for bans: depictions of rape and incest, claims of being sexually explicit, and equity, diversity, and inclusion content.
7/8. (tie) "Tricks," by Ellen Hopkins, the story of five troubled teenagers from different parts of the country who fall into prostitution as they look for freedom, safety, community, family, and love. Reasons for bans: claims of being sexually explicit, drugs, depiction of rape, LGBTQIA+ content.
7/8. (tie) "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl," by Jesse Andrews, the story of high school student and loner Greg Gaines, his one friend in school, and a childhood friend who is dying of leukemia. Reasons: Claims of being sexually explicit, profanity.
9. "Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human," by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan. The graphic novel focuses on topics such as relationships, friends, gender, sexuality, anatomy, body image, safe sex, sexting, and sex education. Reasons for bans: claims of being sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content.
10. "Sold," by Patricia McCormick, the story of a 13-year-old girl named Lakshmi who lives her poor mountain home in Nepal after her father tells her she must find a job when the Himalayan monsoons wash away her family's crops. She thinks she is going to work in as a maid, but ends up being sold into the sex slave trade in India. Reasons for bans: claims of being sexually explicit, depiction of rape.
Banned Books Week for next year is set for Oct. 5-11, 2025.