http://planetgonecrazy.blogspot.com/2006/1...wling-most.html

ALA banned Harry Potter as it promotes witchcraft....

Other banned books include: To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, Lord of the flies.

Apparently as the ALA spokeswoman said "Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to express one's opinion, even if it is considered unorthodox or unpopular and it stresses the importance of ensuring others have access to those viewpoints." This in my opinion is not expressing peoples opinion. If people wanted to express their opinions they just don't have to read these books....

The article that you posted states:
The American Library Association (ALA), who compiled the list for their Banned Book Week, said there were more than 3,000 attempts to remove the books from libraries and schools between 2000 and 2005.

That's just saying that it's made a list of the books that are most requested to be banned, not that they've actually banned the book.

That's the way I'm reading it. Correct me if I'm wrong.

So this is the week people are supposed to read banned books in Alabama I suppose.
Well, anything that gets teens to read more is probably good, and telling them the books are banned might help.

I think you're right. One of the best ways to get teens to read books is to talk of banning them. Read on, kids.

Any publicity is good publicity...


...how many people under thirty have read To Kill a Mockingbird or Of Mice and Men without being told to for a school assignment?

Good point Michelle. But sometimes you need to be told to do something you wouldnt normally do in order to be exposed to something you never knew you might like. To Kill a Mockingbird was a phenomenal story, and one Im glad i read. But one, alas, i may never have read if not for a school project.

By the way, saying something is "banned" is like putting sparklers and bells and whistles and flashing lights all over it, IMO

I see most of us are on the same page...

Still though even if banning a book attracts people due to the mystique of them, it is still absolutly ridiculus that a book like Harry Potter will be banned for promoting 'witchcraft'. Like seriously even though I would agree that this news will attract people to read these books they should not be banned in the first place.

I think you misunderstood... it's books that a FEW FANATICS WANT banned. None of them have been banned, as far as I know, and I live not too far from there.

Well that's the point; the book wasn't banned.

Taken from the article source...


The ALA wishes to ban the book; its on their list. The article states repeat attempts to remove the book from libraries but has failed.

Its just another feeble run at stomping out child literacy IMO.

Those are two of my favorite books in the world. And i am well under 30 thank you very much.

I don't understand how any of those books could be banned. They are some of the greatest Authors of all time, Harper Lee, John Steinbeck, Mark Twain etc.

To ban (or even to try to ban) those greats is ridiculous. While i think Harry Potter is a load of rubbish it is stupid to try to ban it.

Censorship is the greatest of evils...

I meant no disrespect...I'm thrilled that you read them for the sheer pleasure, Atlantis!

I remember having to read Lord of the Flies in high school. We all had to buy the paperback and then we would look for symbolism. Notice the words "having to" lol.

Not Lord of the Flies...may the Bible Belt of the South smite you!

All these great books being banned in America. Thank goodness I live in Canada.

I thought you guys lived in a "free country."

I think banning such books is stupid. What's wrong with these people? Some people are just going to continue to read them. I'll continue to read my favorite book if they like it or not.

Dantheman, we do. Some people like these what to ruin the fun. For the rest of us & keep "kids" from such books. It might "hurt them," thankfully some kids are smart. What I'm trying to say they're smart to pick up a book (these people dislike) & read them. >.O

I can't even fathom the fact fanatics don't get locked up. Ban Harry Potter, get real. If there is anybody that SHOULD be banned its fanaticfrom speaking, to humans. Send them into the wilderness to preach to borch bark and rock formations.

Read all the posts, they aren't banned, they are just the books that are most requested to be banned. Falls under freedom of speech.

One of my favourite books, to kill a mocking bird, why would it be banned, if anything it promotes tolerence.

Kids still 'read' in America.....

No offense to my American counterparts but if you don't fix your educational system, which it's only getting worse kids coming up in the next 20 years won't know their ABC's.

I think that is a real problem for all of us here in Canada and America, things are so easily obtained, requiring no skill or knowledge. That kind of thing leads to a society taking the survival imperitive out of the equation. Why learn to fix anything if you can replace it, why learn to make anything if you can buy it. Its a side effect of technological societies.

I can't entirely agree with this. Japan for instance is by far more technologically advanced then we are and they have the lowest illiteracy rate in the world. Canada likewise we put heavy emphasis on education and equall opportunity for all who seek an education. This reason among others is why we have a superior education system. Kids in America are more or less encouraged to be nothing more then a consumer. Where as in Europe, Canada and Asia kids are encouraged to contribute to society as a whole by learning.

what I'm saying is practical skill is replaced by genius of design. Twenty years ago a computer was only for very smart highly technical people. For the most part the people operating the computer had moe than a passing knowledge of how it worked. Now anyone can own a computer and do trouble shooting themselves, downloading patches and repair wizards for malfunctioning programs. they don't have to have the first idea about how or why it happens its all the work is done for them. Its like an intellectual lethargy ahs taken effect.

So basically what you're saying is, any moron can use a computer now? That should be AOL's slogan.

sad but true, its stupidity does not detract from its truth.