Read a banned book today!

The American Library Association conducts "Banned Books Week" this time each year. The date for 2008 are Sept. 27-Oct. 4. Please endeavor to read a banned book today.

The ALA's list of the “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” reflects a range of themes, and consists of the following titles:
1) “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2) The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier; Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence
3) “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes; Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language
4) “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman; Reasons: Religious Viewpoint
5) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain; Reasons: Racism
6) “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker; Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language
7) "TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle; Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
8) "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou; Reasons: Sexually Explicit
9) “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris; Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit
10) "The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky; Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group.

As far as I can tell, there are no Wyoming writers on this list, although a book by Cheyenne mystery writer C.J. Box is being challenged at one of the state's public libraries. There is one Colorado writer on the list: Lauren Myracle of Fort Collins, Colo. Terrific writer of books for tweens and teens. My daughter read "TTYL" when she was 12 and reports no permanent damage from the experience.