This week in the Library, we have celebrated Banned Books Week (September 28 - October 16) by exercising our First Amendment right to read challenged and banned books. Kindergarten through second grades read Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray. Classes had brief discussions as to why someone might challenge this book, what the authors' message was, and what might happen if we were no longer allowed to read this book. One second-grader felt that "... the authors' message was to teach us that just because someone might have a problem [i.e., Walter and his farts],that doesn't mean we shouldn't respect them, and that is a lesson everyoneneeds to learn."

In grades 5-8, we read the book In Defense of Liberty and had wonderfully insightful discussions as to what happens when books are banned. A sixth-grader stated, "If we were no longer allowed to read that book [The Diary of Anne Frank], then I think the history of her story would be lost." Another stated in response, "... and then history is doomed to repeat itself." Next week with third and fourth grades, there will be a discussion of the First Amendment, a reading of Uncle Bobby's Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen, and a class discussion. Students are being encouraged to read challenged and banned books and then complete a book review for the Library.