Banned Books Challenge 2015

Here is one I passed on last year, but decided to try for next year.  This one is hosted by Buckling Bookshelves.   Will try for the second level, but may go over if time allows.  I'm sure I can find more than two such books.

I wasn't sure if I would host again this year, but then I remembered that once I set everything up, it pretty much runs itself. So the Banned Books Challenge is back for its third year! Besides, I really want to join myself, so I hope there are at least a few other people out there who'd like to participate with me.

This is a very low pressure challenge -- the whole idea is to have fun and read some books that censors have tried to keep off the shelves. I feel there is tremendous value in reading even one banned book, so I'm starting the levels low to encourage more people to give it a try -- but if you're feeling daring, try for one of the higher levels!

DATES: January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015

RULES: Any book that has been banned or challenged counts. Books can be any format, any length, and can overlap with other challenges. Graphic novels, children's books, picture books are all fine -- any book that has been banned or challenged works for this challenge.

WHERE CAN I FIND BOOK SUGGESTIONS? There isn't one specific list to work from, but there are many different resources you can check out for ideas:

• The ALA's lists of frequently challenged books. There are multiple lists split up by author, year, decade, and a separate list for classics, so there are a lot of options from all different genres.

• GoodReads has several listopia lists on the subject -- this is particularly helpful for identifying books you already have on your shelves if you are a user of the site.

• The Banned Books Week Facebook Page is great about reporting current information on bans and challenges.

• I wrote posts last year about three Banned Book Victories as well as Additional Banned Books Resources including some information on challenged graphic novels.

• If you learn about a book getting challenged in the news, on a book blog, around the web, or wherever else you get your bookish news, it's fair game. One book that made headlines last year wasThe Miseducation of Cameron Post -- it doesn't need to make any of the big lists to count. And if you learn about a new incident, I'd love to hear about it!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Write a post identifying which level you are aiming to complete, linking to this sign-up post. If you don't have a blog, just leave a comment below stating what level you are trying for. Listing the books you'd like to read for the year is optional. If you do make a list, you are welcome to change it at any time.

For each book you read for the challenge, you can link-up your reviews here, so we can read them! Reviews can be as short or long as you like, even a one-liner is fine. If you don't have a blog, but post reviews on GoodReads or other similar site, you can link directly to your reviews there. If you don't post reviews, you can leave a comment on the Review Link-Up page telling us which books you completed.

A year-end wrap-up post is optional and you may link yours up in the review linky if you choose to write one.

LEVELS: Below are the levels you can choose from. Changing your mind is OK -- you can go up or down in level at any time. I said low-pressure, remember? I'm not the book police, I promise.

     Making Waves: 1-2 Challenged Books
     Trouble-Maker: 3-5 Challenged Books
     Rabble-Rouser: 6-9 Challenged Books
     Rebel: 10-14 Challenged Books
     Leader of a Revolution: 15+ Challenged Books

So link up below, grab a badge if you'd like, and get reading!

Here is what I'll be reading for this one:

1. A Light in the Attic--Shel Silverstein
2. Where the Sidewalk Ends--Shel Silverstein
3. My Sister's Keeper--Jodi Picoult
4. The Color Purple--Alice Walker
5. Of Mice and Men--John Steinbeck
6. The House on Mango Street--Sandra Cisneros
7. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian--Sherman Alexie
8. Summer of My German Soldier--Bette Greene
9. The Witch of Blackbird Pond--Elizabeth George Speare
10. Bridge to Terabithia--Katherine Paterson
11. The Grapes of Wrath--John Steinbeck
12. Blubber--Judy Blume
13. Killing Mr. Griffin--Lois Duncan
14. Thirteen Reasons Why--Jay Asher

Challenge completed on October 1