BANNED, CHALLENGED, not easily forgotten

What would we have read in school if all the banned and challenged books had been permanently withdrawn from our schools and libraries?  The American Library Association website has several lists of frequently banned and challenged titles. Students might browse this list and express disappointment that so many of these books continue to survive.  Others may recall that they were assigned to read several books from the list which made a permanent impression on them (or possibly scarred them for life).
Anyone who  has read The Lord of the Flies will never forget characters like Ralph, Simon, Jack and Piggy.  Some might say that this book is a tale of adventure about the survival of the fittest. Others may believe that this book is a study of human nature.  Many have felt that the age of the characters and the violence in the story make this an inappropriate title, especially for students. However, in many ways this book could be thought of as simply a precursor to The Hunger Games.

The Catcher in the Rye is objectionable because it contains obscene language, sexual situations, and delinquent behavior.  (Instead of reading the book, one could watch "The Breakfast Club" or "Dead Poet's Society" to understand that this is teen angst at its finest.)  One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has been described as containing obscene language and glorifying criminal activities.  It also contains torture and violent behavior.  (One thing that anyone who reads this book will learn is that being committed to an asylum is not for the weak or faint of heart.)  The Lord of the Rings has hobbits, wizards and dwarfs that smoke.  It has magical creatures like elves, orcs, ents and dragons.  Due to the strong elements of magic, it is often objected to on the basis of its perceived Satanic themes.  (Because if kids read about Frodo smoking a pipe, they will definitely take that up when they embark on their next quest.)

Fahrenheit 451 has never been banned but it has been censored.  (Who would want to look so foolish as to ban a book about banning books?)  Many objections have been raised to this book due to offensive language.  Others have been upset by the political themes which are similar to another banned favorite, 1984. Anyone who has actually read these books should be able to discern that they are against totalitarianism and oppressive regimes (anti-communism, anti-fascism).  Perhaps the objectors were so caught up in the language they didn't understand the actual content.
The Color Purple and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings are two titles with similar themes that are often challenged.  They are often challenged over explicit sexual content, language, and inappropriate content for children.  Some have complained that the books are "anti-white".  They are both stories about young girls who endure brutal treatment throughout their early lives but manage to persevere and eventually thrive.
The people who want to ban books often focus on one thing; should a book exist in a curriculum or be available on a library shelf.  Shouldn't the question focus on why the reader has chosen the material?  Aren't these missed opportunities to talk about books?  Isn't this your chance to share your favorite banned or challenged book that Mr. ____________ assigned to you so long ago?

The Key to our Society is a Sweet Blue Skye

Occasionally you will meet a book that you love at first sight.  The cover is beautiful. The title is intriguing.  The form is something you've never seen before (or avoided because you weren't sure you'd like it).  Perhaps the subject matter is a combination of things that delight or intrigue you as a reader.  With one glance through the description, you know that the setting is where you would like to go on your next vacation.  From the very first page, you realize that this is a book you will recommend to all of your reading friends. When you start looking for something similar, you are devastated to learn that there are very few read-alikes for that title. The disappointment is frustrating and may cause you to choose unwisely the next time you visit the library.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society has had the distinction of being a perennial favorite of our library patrons and staff since it first appeared in print.  (The title alone causes it to stand out in a crowd.)  The setting is Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands which was occupied by German forces during World War II.  The story, which is revealed through the correspondence of several characters, describes how the Islanders persevered under German rule and engaged in small acts of defiance.  The society for which the book was named was created as a cover for their meetings and activities but eventually lived up to it as those on the island sought entertainment, society, and a distraction from fear and hunger.    
Letters From Skye by Jessica Brockmole is another epistolary novel.  The correspondence begins in the years just prior to World War I.  David, a college student from America, sends a fan letter to Elspeth, a Scottish poet who lives on the Isle of Skye.  This exchange of letters gradually develops into a friendship that eventually evolves into something more. However, distance, war, and Elspeth's husband seem to be hurdles that they will never overcome.
Flash forward to early World War II.  Elspeth's daughter Margaret is introduced. After an air raid, she finds the letters from David and starts to put the pieces of her mother's mysterious life together.  This is a story of enduring love, sacrifice, and survival told through the letters of the characters.  The author gives each character their own unique voice and style, enhancing the convention of the novel through letters.
Another favorite of library staff is Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.  This too is a love story set during World War II.  It is not told through letters but through flashbacks.  It is the story of Henry, a Chinese-American boy growing up in Seattle.  The story begins shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and tensions are high.  Henry's parents have encouraged him to be as American as possible. This leads to major communication problems at home because his parents do not understand English nor do they speak it.  They have also sent Henry off as a scholarship student to an all-white school where his life is not pleasant.  
Things turn around for Henry when he meets Keiko, a Japanese-American scholarship student at his school.  She becomes Henry's only friend his age. Unfortunately, the politics of the time separate them when people of Japanese descent are sent away to internment camps.  What follows is the story of their friendship and enduring love as they attempt to hold on to one another across the years and finally, to reconnect.
History, mystery, and love can be used to create a story that is both fascinating and addictive.  Whether you enjoy the setting, the time period, or the difference in cultures, these reads can lead you back in time.  And if the above offerings are a little to sweet for your taste, try Tatiana De Rosnay's Sarah's Key, another library favorite that focuses on some less than heroic behavior during World War II.