Teens

Day 5: Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a 1999 young adult novel by American author Stephen Chbosky. Set in the early 1990s, the novel follows Charlie, an introverted and observant teenager, through his freshman year of high school in a Pittsburgh suburb.

Parents have raised issues with the novel for its "pornographic" content and "vulgarity," but others have argued that the book deals with real and common teen issues concerned with growing up, so it presents a truthful viewpoint.

Thank you for joining us this Banned Books Week and don`t forget to log your reading hours for our reading challenge over on Beanstack.

Tell us your favorite banned book! ...

Day 4: The Bluest Eye (1970)

Set in the 1940`s, this novel is about a 14 year old, Black girl named Pecola who is treated poorly because of her dark complexion. This book explores some of the more complex issues and generational trauma that is felt in the African American community.

Written by the incomparable Toni Morrison initially received mixed to negative reviews, but has since become a classic. Despite its critical acclaim and inclusion in curricula, the novel has faced controversy and repeated attempts at censorship due to its depiction of child abuse, dark themes, and perceived explicit content.

This book is important because its exploration of race and skin tone is a perfect example of the "Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Doors" metaphor from Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop. Her metaphor explains that diversity in books is important because books can act like Mirrors of your own experience, Windows to see how other people live and books can be the Sliding Doors that brings us all together.

Come back tomorrow and see which book our librarians review in the finale of our Banned Books wheel series! ...

Day 3: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Gender Queer: A Memoir is a 2019 American graphic memoir written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe. It recounts Kobabe`s journey from adolescence to adulthood and the author`s exploration of gender identity and sexuality, ultimately identifying as being outside of the gender binary.

Since 2021, its inclusion in American libraries, particularly school libraries, has been frequently challenged, based on the presence of sexually explicit illustrations. The American Library Association ranked it as the most challenged book in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Learn more about Gender Queer and our other important banned and challenged books at La Grange Park Library ...

Day 2: Looking for Alaska (2005)

Looking for Alaska follows the novel`s main character and narrator Miles Halter, or "Pudge," to boarding school. This coming-of-age novel explores themes of meaning, grief, hope, and youth–adult relationships.

The novel won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association (ALA). Since 2015 it has led the association`s list of most-challenged books, citing profanity, smoking, and a sexually explicit scene as objectionable.

Stop by the Teen Lounge to see the rest of the Top 10 Banned and Challenged Books of 2024.

Don`t forget to check-in for our Banned Books Reading Challenge on Beanstack, as well. ...

Day 1: Flamer (2020)

Set in 1995, in a Boy Scouts summer camp, and tells the story of Aiden, who is bullied for his appearance, including acting in a manner considered stereotypical of gay men. This graphic novel has been challenged due to its LGBTQ themes, depictions of sex, and mental health.

Check back tomorrow for another review of our favorite Banned Books! ...

Celebrate your freedom to read with us this week for Banned Books Week! Every day this week we will be spinning the wheel of the Top 10 Banned Books and we will share why each book is important.

To learn more, visit our Banned Books display at La Grange Park Public Library, and sign-up for our reading challenge on Beanstack. ...

We`re fueling up for Banned Books Week the best way we know how. Come get your library card and devour some of these favorite with us! ...