Are You a Rebel Book Lover?
September 26, 2009 | By
When it comes to creativity, most of us think of painting, paper goods, photography and similar activities. But what about writing? Novelists create unique characters and open our eyes to the wonderful new worlds they inhabit. In many cases, authors bring such life to their stories that we learn to believe in them and carry them with us throughout our lives. Writing is one of the most influential and enduring forms of creative art.
September begins with National Literacy Month and ends with Banned Books Week, which runs September 26 – October 3. This week promotes the “freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion even if…considered unorthodox”(ALA.org).) Books are banned for a variety of reasons but there is a great value in paying this celebratory week some attention. The voices of authors have been silenced over time because their words were thought to be too provocative, political or non-religious. To this day books are banned because someone wants to hide the ideas that “loom” within the pages.
Take the Banned Book Quiz!
Everyone loves a little healthy rebellion. Whether you’ve read a banned book in class or have stumbled upon a copy at a used bookstore, there’s plenty of creative charm in the world of “dangerous reading.” Take this rebellious little quiz to find out how well you know your banned books--you may even find that favorite book of all time was once banned for reasons you've never even considered!
1. This book was challenged for “criminalizing the logging industry” and shows Dr. Seuss’s political side. Involved is a little creature with an exceptional mustache. You can find it under the name:
a. Horton Hears a Who
b. The Lorax
c. Green Eggs and Ham
2. The adventures of this mischievous 12 year old include graveyards, murder, and playing hooky with a best friend. A pot of gold at the end of the story gets them out of painting fences for life.
a. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
b. Tom and Huck
c. The Graveyard Book
3. This book was banned based on “sexual frankness” and dealings with religion. A classic by Judy Blume, it questions life and love and illustrates the musings of pre-teen girlhood.
a. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
b. Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea
c. Here’s to You Rachael Robinson
4. A creepy film has been made to accompany this novel, set in Castle Rock, Maine. Involved is a rabid bat, a bit of mouth foaming, and a Saint Bernard named:
a. Sparky
b. Max
c. Cujo
5. Downright infamous for its controversial subject, this novel by Vladimir Nabokov leaves some readers feeling uneasy and is sure to create a lively book discussion. It involves the infamous Humbert and his companion ____________
a. Janie
b. Lolita
c. Maria
6. Which book divulged the life and times of children Scout, Jem, and Dill as they encountered mysterious gifts, Boo Radley, and the trials of Atticus Finch?
a. Crazy in Alabama
b. Cold Sassy Tree
c. To Kill a Mocking Bird
7. Bon fires and pig roasts surround this group of wild children as they make sense of life as castaways. The meaning behind the quote, “We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages” is soon forgotten.
a. Lord of the Flies
b. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
c. How to Eat Fried Worms
8. After learning of the wizarding world, a young protagonist is introduced to a large bearded man with a magic umbrella, Bertie Bott’s Beans, and a particularly suspicious turban.
a. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
b. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
c. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
9. You may not know that this one’s been banned, but an interesting wardrobe malfunction gets it in trouble now and again. It includes red and white stripes, a ski hat, and a main character who’s been known to disappear.
a. Around the World in 80 days
b. Where’s Waldo?
c. Homeward Bound
10. This book tells the tale of a feisty young girl in pig tails hoping to conquer the world and get herself out of foster care. She is determined to be unpleasant and displeases many an adult. She is the “Great____________________.”
a. Pippi Longstocking
b. Gilly Hopkins
c. Punky Brewster
Answers:
Give yourself 1 point for each correct answer!
1. b. The Lorax by Dr. Suess
2. a. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
3. a. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
4. c. Cujo by Stephan King
5. b. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
6. c. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
7. a. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
8. a. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
9. b. Where’s Waldo? by Martin Handford
10. b. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
How does your book worm rebellion rank?
1 - 4 points You certainly know a few dangerous titles. Perhaps you don’t care to walk (or read) on the wild side, but may have been introduced to a few of these at school, in the library or by accident. Check out 25 Titles You Should Read Today for excerpts that will help you decide if you're looking for a new choice.
5 - 7 points Look out book banners! You’ve got your titles down. Maybe you’ve read some of the classics because you were told to, but it’s possible that you would give some other “risky” titles a shot. Check out these surprising banned books in case you missed a few!
8 - 10 points You rebel you! You can recite a list of banned books known by heart and are the first to tear down the door at the bookstore during Banned Books Week. You certainly know your history, but have you seen new titles declared just recently? Congrats! Everyone appreciates a rebel with a cause.
Whatever your score, don’t stop here--keep reading!
Check out this list to see the top 100 banned books of the century. You might even enjoy this Flickr tribute to the holiday. For a list of reasons for banning, check out the American Library Association’s stats. Librarians can be especially gleeful about the subject and almost always create displays featuring as many titles as they can find. Check out your local branch for a free loan and dose of defiance today!
Recommended Reading:
Artsy Adventures with Vintage Books
Secret Life of a Book Worm
How to Make Books – A Crafty Book Review
Test Your Knowledge of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!
There’s One in All of Us: Where the Wild Things Are
Photos courtesy of: polarity, margolove, and apartmentcat and Amazon.com.
<--- Go back to the Just for Fun department for more crafty fun!
All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior
written permission of HandmadeNews.org.
