Title: Banned Books
Headings: Banned Books
Banned Books
From Harriet the Spy to The Catcher in the Rye
What is a Banned Book?
Why Are Books Banned?
Freedom of Speech and Expression
A Matter of Opinion
Famous Banned Books

Content: some think they are wonderfully imaginative books that have done much to encourage kids to read; others, who think the Potter books should be banned, think they are a bad and corrupting influence on kids. Freedom of Speech and Expression
The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees our right to free speech, which includes the right to read and write books that might be considered by some to be too violent, hateful, or offensive. Because this freedom is one of our fundamental rights as Americans, some people feel that any form of censorship is wrong. Most people fall somewhere in the middle, believing that people should be free to read whatever they choose, but that in some rare instances censorship is acceptable. According to the ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano, "Not every book is right for every person, but providing a wide range of reading choices is vital for learning, exploration, and imagination. The abilities to read, speak, think, and express ourselves freely are core American values." Some people feel that schools, libraries, and governments should be the judge of what books are good for kids. Others believe that kids or their parents should have the freedom to decide for themselves, and shouldn't have others' viewpoints imposed on them. A Matter of Opinion
At various times in our history, some of the tamest books have been banned, including such children's classics as Grimm's Fairy Tales and Little Red Riding Hood —the former for being too violent and the latter because Little Red Riding Hood gives her grandmother a bottle of wine, which some feared would encourage drinking!