You Can't Read This!: Why Books Get Banned

by Pamela Jain Dell

Throughout history writers have rebelled against authority and the status quo--real revolutionaries! They are the source of new ideas or old ideas expressed in new ways. But not everyone is happy with this freedom of expression, and some try to keep it from you. Could your favorite book be next?

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Karen]

Sadly, book banning and book challenging is not a new phenomenon. Reiterates the importance of parents deciding on reading material for their own children but not for other people's children.

[Malissa]

A decent book about censorship and intellectual freedom that makes the issues clear without being preachy or overwhelming. The book discusses censorship issues from the first bannings of Bibles other than those written in Greek or Latin in the year 533 all the way up through modern issues like controversy over the Harry Potter series. The book is colorful and well put together and should be useful for kids as young as upper elementary but interesting to older teens as well. It also has a glossary and index in the back. The cover with the heavy chain and padlock should help it draw attention in the stacks.

[Sandy]

Amazing information about the banning of books. Written for young adults but had information I had no idea about. Galileo wrote "Dialogue concerning the two chief world systems", in it he wrote, in 1633, that the earth revolved around the sun. The Catholic Church didn't admit he was right until 1992. Not only was his book banned he also wasn't acknowledged for being right for HUNDREDS of years.

[Jen]

Short book, but it contained a lot of great information on the practice of book banning as well as the reasons why books get banned or challenged. Great read for skimming the surface on the horrendous act of book banning.

[Annie Oosterwyk]

Very clear and full of real-life examples of censorship. Terrific resource for students doing research on important issues of the day.

[Amy]

Very interesting!

[Danielle Smith]

Easy to read and I lerned a few things!

[Mary Bronson]

This was a pretty good read. I thought the information was pretty good and very interesting. There were some titles that I did not know were banned books.

[Elizabeth]

Great information for anyone who is delving into the world of banned and challenged books. As for me, it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.

[Jessica B]

Very good information in here.

[Jessica Gehman]

Great info. really informing