Banned Book Week Essential Guide: The Next Battleground Audiobooks and Censorship

Today marks the start of Banned Books Week, a yearly event sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, American Library Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of American Publishers, National Association of College Stores, and is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met. The ALA website has many resources, including support for those dealing with challenges.

Teri Lesesne, the Goddess of YA Literature, has written a guide specifically addressing the issues unique to audiobook challenges: "The Next Battleground: Audiobooks and Censorship." Teri's article is included in the wonderful magazine RHI, produced by Random House for High School Teachers. Be sure to visit the magazine website and sign up for a free subscription to both the print & email RHI publications. Plus, you'll find other amazing resources for supporting every student's right to read freely, written by educational experts and a litany of literary heroes, from Judy Blume to Salman Rushdie. Essential Reading.

Image from http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/firstamendment/resources.html