ISU Uncensored - Cracking open banned books

Becca Maslikowski, a freshman open preference major, stood up and made her way across the room preparing to read her banned book, a children's story about penguins, to a group of students in the library Monday at an event celebrating Banned Books Week.

"'And Tango Makes Three' is a story about two male penguins who fall in love and raise a baby penguin together. The issue of homosexuality makes it so controversial," Maslikowski said.

Maslikowski chose the book to read aloud because it is a children's book and the issues raised by the story were interesting to her.

According to the American Library Association, "And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell was the most challenged book of 2007 due to "homosexuality, sexism and anti-family content." 

"Most people don't realize the extent at which this [banning of books] happens," said Darlene Hantzis, professor of communication and women's studies and campus coordinator for the American Democracy Project.

According to the American Library Association, more than one book a day faces removal from free and open public access in U.S. schools and libraries.

This statistic is based on the reported book challenges as well as bans. A challenge is a formal complaint requesting removal of a book; a ban is the actual removal of a book from a library or bookstore's shelf.

"It comes down to this: I've read many things that disturb me and even stop me from reading, but I'm glad to have that choice," Hantzis said.

Marsha Miller, reference and instruction librarian, was the coordinator of the reading event.

"A lot of college students are going to be parents one day and involved in reading with their children. It's important to realize many good books have been banned," Miller said.

Students were also invited to read banned favorites at the ISU Bookstore Tuesday.

First lady Cheri Bradley attended the bookstore event and read an excerpt from "Piano Lessons Can Be Murder" from the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine.

Michael Schneider, a freshman economics major, came with his Political Science 107 class and read an excerpt from "The Giver" by Lois Lowry.

"It's one of the best books ever and has a lot of relevance to my class," Schneider said.

Kelly Loman, a freshman pre-medicine major, read "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair.

"The book was banned because it told the truth about the meat-packing industry [during the early 1900s]. The excerpt I read explained what they really put into sausage; it really makes people squirm," Loman said.

"I think it's pretty ridiculous when people try to ban books. People are going to read, no matter what," Loman said.

( Brittany Parrett is a freshman communication major. She can be reached at sascamed@isugw.indstate.edu.)