Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

This guest blogger I have known since I was about four years old. She and I grew up together and have been friends for about twenty-four years now. She is a stay at home mom to three children, two boys and a girl. Her husband serves our country in the airforce so they get to travel the world. They just moved back to the states from England. Enjoy her review! :)

Description-

Isabella Swan is forced to move from her home and mother in Arizona, to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father. Where everyone knows her name, like she's a celebrity, she tries to stay out of the light. Where reconnecting with her father makes for an interesting day job, one she'd rather not put too much effort into. Where getting reacquainted with a friend becomes something more. And her unconditional love for one, Edward Cullen, who she can't figure out to save her life. That is, until she does. And what she finds, will take this story, and the adventure you're about to embark on, to a whole new level!

The love for the book:

This was my first real read, ever. I hated books growing up, so when my sister-in-law came to me and told me how much I would love this book I decided to try it. Stephenie Meyer is a wonderful story teller. You feel like you're there, a part of this magical, mysterious, yet somewhat frightening adventure. As you learn about Bella, you also learn about her home life. The friends she comes to make. And Where life amongst humans actually exists, or so she figures out one dark night on her computer as she scans the topic over and over. Vampires. I love this book. 

This part was typed by me. :) Not Christine.

Why is it challenged?

In Australia and California people were concerned about the sexual content. I have to ask… what sexual content? Maybe they mean the sexual frustration because of the absence of sex. Also, one woman said she was concerned of the confusion of reality and fantasy for this book. “We wanted to make sure they realize it’s fictitious and ensure they don’t have a wrong grasp on reality,” says Helen Schutz. Hello! Vampires and other mythical creatures… yeah, it’s fiction.

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Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Synopsis: Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939 and follows the Joad family from Oklahoma to California in an effort to find work and make money during the great depression. Once in California they are faced with substandard working and living  conditions, bullied about and fall apart. A haunting depiction of the Great Depression and the madness that was running this country at the time.

I remember reading this book in eighth grade, not for a school requirement, but because my brother-in-law owned this and Of Mice and Men. He assured my mother that it was okay for me to read. At the time I only sort of understood, on a philosophical level, what I was reading. Without my knowledge, this book shaped the way I saw poverty and people. It, along with many others, (such as Les Miserable and No Promises in the Wind) gave me a perspective on why people might do things that seemed so completely illogical to my black and white world. I only read it the one time, never being required throughout high school or college to read it again. (Sad, right?) But when Linda asked me to pick a book that was banned at one point, I was surprised to find this on a banned books list. Since I had not read it in so long, I went to work!

Why it was banned: Originally it was banned because the California Farmers Association found it libelous in its depiction of their camps. Then it was touted as socialist/ communist propaganda. But the few wealthy left in this country at the time could not stamp it out! It went on to win the Pulitzer in 1940 and is listed as one of the best books in the English language. There have been attempts over the years to ban the book because of its vulgar depictions. (Getting my high school and college education in the South, I suspect this contributed more to why it was never on our reading lists!)

I won't deny that the book could be labeled as vulgar. There are several deaths, a couple of murders, a woman breast feeding a man to keep him from starving and a healthy amount of language. As I child, I did not remember the details of those aspects of the book. As an adult it was a slap in the face! It will be a time before I will allow my children to read it, but I think that everyone should read this book! Sadly, the world is an ugly place and ugly things happen. Turning a blind eye to it, trying to ignore it,or sweep it under the rug will not solve these problems. Bringing these issues to light, examining them, and trying to understand why it is happening is the only true solution. Steinbeck did not write vulgarity for the sake of vulgarity. He wrote to show the world what was happening and make people address the issues. As our country once again declines, I feel more than ever that my children will need to read this book one day!

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The Witches by Roald Dahl

This is the story of a little boy who lives with his grandmother. She is a fascinating woman who is great at storytelling and knows a thing or two about witches. She warns her grandson how to recognize a witch so he isn't destroyed by her since it's all witches' goal to rid the world of children and, well, he's a child. What happens when he sees someone and recognizes the signs? What if that someone is the grand witch of all the world? How does the young hero of this story react? Well, you'll have to read the book to find out.

 My 5 yo, 3 yo and I read this one together. They loved it! I read lots of reviews where they discussed how scary this would be for children. This wasn't scary at all for my kids. They loved it and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. The only thing that bothered me was the ending. The immediate story was over but it led to another story that wasn't finished. Almost like this could have been a series or something but it never was. My 5 year old was a bit upset. He wanted more. He wanted to find out what happened after The End. Overall though, it was an excellent book and the kids really enjoyed it!

Why is this book banned? Witchcraft!! There are curses put on children in the book and some felt it should be banned. I understand if you don't want your children to read it but my kids happened to LOVE it and they are 5 & 3. They thought it was pretty awesome.

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Guest blogger for today -- my husband. :)

Summary:
To Kill a Mockingbird is the coming of age story of Scout Finch. Along with her brother Jem and Father Atticus, they traverse the tale of Scout's Growing up in the small town of Maycomb. Set during the great depression, Scout finds numerous ways to entertain herself and get into trouble. She has a mystreious neighbor, Boo Radley, who is protrayed as a menacing freak who hides his face from public, but in reality mends pants, leaves gifts in a tree hollow, and manages to save Scout and her brother from an attack. Her father is a court appointed lawyer whose newest defendant is a black man, Tom Robinson, accused of rape.  In order to do his job he has to overcome prejudice, disperse a mob, and pursuade a jury of racist white men that his client is innocent. Unfortunately that last task proves too much and Tom is sentenced to death. Scout, as a young woman must deal with all of this as well as the complicated emotions that come with them. In the end she finds out that her father and Boo Radley, a man she feared, are two of the most honest and brave men in the world.

Why it was banned:
To Kill a Mockingbird was banned by many different libraries and school systems mostly because of the topics it dealt with. Many claim the racism seen in the pages, while some others claim the sexual nature of the crime involved. Others use the profanity that Harper Lee uses. The most far-reaching ban comes from a New York school district where it was challenged as a "trashy, filthy novel".

My Thoughts:
The varied reasons for banning this novel is a stupid attempt by the uneducated masses that took offense to having their ideals questioned. Understanding the most of these bans took place as integration truly began is a slap in the face to this wonderful novel. Harper Lee wrote this as a way to question the then standing beliefs that were being questioned in the late 50's and early 60's. She meant this to be a treatise on relations and the conflict of her observations against those prevailing opinions. The arguments that this novel is profane and racist are inaccurate. The novel uses the then common vernacular and beliefs to illustrate the environment and place the reader in an uncomfortable position. This is because only in discomfort can we truly see ourselves for who we are and what we believe. In other words, to deals with topics that mire in filth, you have to get dirty.

There are stories and there are Stories. Very few novels have ever moved me as much as To Kill a Mockingbird has. This novel was the begining of my philosophy of understanding other viewpoints before dismissing them. While reading this I was placed into uncomfortable discussions that forced me to rise out of immaturity and frankly question viewpoints that society had and whether or not I agreed. I don't mean to say that this novel will change your beliefs but rather that it will make you question them to the point that if you don't change your ideals you will at least understand them, and by extension yourself, better. This novel needs to be a must read for anyone who considers themselves educated and / or enlightened. If you haven't read it yet, get it now. Really, go now. Don't keep reading, go get the book. It is free online for pity's sake. Go get it.

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

This guest blogger preferred to remain anonymous but I'd like to shout out a big THANK YOU to her for helping me out this week!! :)

Book Title: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Author: Mark Twain

Type:  humorously satirical boy-coming-of-age story set in the 1830s

Published: First published in England and Canada in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885

Summary: Huck’s father is the town drunk and the Widow Douglas, who becomes Huck’s unofficial guardian, tries to show him a good home-life and provide the care, nurturing, guidance and advice a young boy should have. Huck has never experienced that and has a difficult time adjusting. He decides to run away. He soon joins up with another runaway—Jim, an escaped slave. The book follows the travels and adventures of Huck, Jim, and the people they meet along the Mississippi River.

Although there are parts I find humorous and other parts that make me uncomfortable, I have always enjoyed the story—mostly because it is an escape. I would love to just live on the river and not have any expectations or responsibilities—for a while, anyway. Jim and Huck do become friends and I like that. Huck’s ideas or values he has grown up with and never questioned, undergo changes and Huck no longer sees Jim as property, but as a person and a friend.

Even when the book was first published, some libraries refused to carry it because of its “crudeness,” or “poor word choice,” or because Huck “not only itched but scratched,” which was considered obscene. Today, it is often criticized because of the depiction of Jim, a slave, and because of raciest terms used to describe African Americans and, to a lesser degree, Native American Indians. The words are there. They were in common use during both the setting of the book and the time in which the book was written. Huck doesn't know the words are wrong--that's all he knows. Jim’s character is true to his time and setting. He is a slave and he is depicted as such. He is not depicted, however, as ignorant or slow, but as a sensitive, caring person who is very capable of thinking for himself.

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Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

                                   My guest blogger today for Banned Book Week is Adelina. She is the owner of

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

About the book: Alice, who is bored sitting by her sister, gets intriqued when a white rabbit wearing a waistcoat and holding a pocketwatch runs past her.  She gets follows the rabbit down a rabbit hole and into Wonderland.  While in Wonderland Alice received advice from a caterpillar, has a "Mad Tea Party" plays croquet with a Queen, and finds herself the only rational person in a courtroom.

My thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The tales Carroll created are fun to read, don't always make sense, and a nice break from the real world.

Why this book was banned:  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was banned for a time in Hunan, China in 1931.  General Ho Chein censored the book for it's human portrayal of animals. He feared that children would start seeing animals as equals which would be disastrous!

My thoughts: I find it funny when books are censored/banned. Especially for such a reason as this. It's a rare human that will read a work of fiction and take it seriously. Although I do believe we should treat animals kindly, I don't see anyone reading this book, and deciding that animals need to have a say in government, or have any of the same basic human rights. 

If you have read/will read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland then I also suggest Alice Through the Looking Glass. Another Lewis Carrol story that takes Alice on an adventure through her mirror. 

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Banned Book Blog Hop

Today is the start of Banned Book Week!! Hooray!! :) I will have a banned book review every day this week and a giveaway. Plus, it's a giveaway HOP which means there are lots of bloggers having giveaways. This Banned Book Giveaway Hop is Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and I Read Banned Books. Hooray!! Hope you're ready for a fun week.

My giveaway this week is one of my favorite banned books:

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Sebastian and Viola, twins, are separated in a storm. They both think the other is dead and must get creative in their ways to survive. This leads to some very humorous moments in the Shakespearean tradition. I love this book. It's my favorite Shakespeare play.

Why is this book banned you may ask? Because there is cross dressing. Yes, really, that is the reason. Some people felt it encourages homosexuality so it is now banned in some places. *shrug* I think it's an awesome story!
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Giveaway Details:
To enter giveaway please follow this blog then enter your e-mail below.
Last Day to Enter is 10/1/11.

Optional Extra Entries:
+1 Become my friend on Goodreads 
+1 Become a follower on Facebook 
+1 Blog or tweet about this giveaway.

Make sure you tell me which ones you did and provide links if necessary. Thanks and good luck! 


To enter all the other giveaways involved in this blog hop check below:

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