Blog

By MAEC Staff
October 7, 2015

This year, Banned Book Week ran from September 29 to October 3. In looking over the lists compiled by the American Library Association, we were struck by how some of our favorites appeared. As a staff, we took a moment to remember some of these books and their effects on our lives:

Susan Shaffer
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is one of the greatest literary works in American history. Harper Lee gives students and teachers the opportunity to discuss race and culture and their impact on justice in a constructive manner. Without these important discussions, we will continue to repeat the same acts of prejudice and injustice.

Maria del Rosario (Charo) Basterra
For Whom the Bells Toll, by Ernest Hemingway, is a very well written novel about the Spanish Civil War. A real joy and a truly learning experience. His characters remained in me forever.

Kate Farbry
A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein. My father used to read to us from this book before bedtime and the sometimes silly, sometimes serious poems and illustrations have stayed with me ever since. Now my own kids have a copy… and I have a tradition to begin.

Noelle Haile
Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, is a very powerful story illustrating the lasting impact that a choice made in self-preservation had on the lead character. I experienced all sorts of emotions reading this book. Also, this book humanized the experience of people in Afghanistan for me and reminded me that there was a time before the Taliban in their history.

Kori Hamilton
Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston is one of my favorite books. I read it in high school and taught it to high school students. There is just something about the way the story is told that I always felt I was walking with the characters and seeing the world through their eyes and experiences.

Pamela Higgins Harris
I approached this question differently. In looking at the list of Banned & Challenged Classics, I am struck by how some books have current relevance to Black Lives Matter (To Kill a Mockingbird, Invisible Man, Native Son, Go Tell it on the Mountain), some to self esteem and resilience for African American girls/women (The Color Purple, Beloved), and some to universal humanity and overcoming adversity (The Grapes of Wrath, A Farewell to Arms, A Separate Peace, An American Tragedy).

David May
George Orwell’s 1984 has taken on new significance in recent years, as extensive government surveillance and manipulation of innocent citizens has been exposed by Edward Snowden and other whistleblowers. The resurgence of “Big Brother” has very real significance for many Muslims, African Americans, political dissidents, and others who have been targeted by the government and marginalized by mainstream society.

Nora Morales
Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. It is interesting to think about societal norms, nurture vs. nature, and what the world would be like if kids were allowed to create it.

Phoebe Schlanger
The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, has struck me differently over the years. When I was young, I imagined empathizing with the search for integrity in a crazy world. As I got older, I had a greater appreciation for the “what might have been” sentiments.

Keita Wells
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor. “Look out there, Cassie girl. All that belongs to you. You ain’t never had to live on nobody’s place but your own and long as I live and the family survives, you’ll never have to.” Mildred Taylor created a story that still resonates in many communities today. This book shed light on the importance of family and cruel reality of racial injustice.