American Library Association(ALA), in what seems to be the best (only?) use of my membership dues.

Now, Vonnegut would take some perverse pleasure in being on this list, as a more current post demonstrates; he has a special connection, almost a camaraderie with librarians.

The general reason that most of these books are on this list is that school boards and library budgets are determined locally so whatever view is espoused at the local supermarket or church will be present in local government. So, there is the perfunctory choices on this list for “sexual deviancy” (Catcher in the Rye, Go Ask Alice), suicide (Ordinary People), sorcery, witchcraft (the Harry Potter series are on here as well.) All in the name of “protecting our children”, which in and of itself has some merit.

The real issue becomes what are we protecting them from. The evils of the world, the darkness in each of us, perversion? Who knows?

Honesty is honesty and any child being raised without that is being done a disservice. Beliefs are strengthened when confronted in the real world with real world variables, like resistance, differences, dichotomies. Protect your children, but by no means pretend like this doesn’t exist.

I am preaching to the choir, so I will cease and desist. But look at these books and tell me you haven’t enjoyed them? You haven’t cried when Lenny was shot, haven’t followed Holden through the belly of New York, haven’t snickered a little about Vonnegut’s wry and dark humor in the face of utter destruction?

C’mon? Shell Silverstein? Not the most subversive of fellows.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya AngelouThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark TwainOf Mice and Men by John SteinbeckThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. SalingerThe Color Purple by Alice WalkerA Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’EngleGo Ask Alice by AnonymousThe Witches by Roald DahlThe Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret AtwoodThe Bluest Eye by Toni MorrisonTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeBeloved by Toni MorrisonThe Outsiders by S.E. HintonFlowers for Algernon by Daniel KeyesA Light in the Attic by Shel SilversteinBrave New World by Aldous HuxleyOrdinary People by Judith GuestThe House of Spirits by Isabel AllendeSlaughterhouse-Five by Kurt VonnegutLord of the Flies by William GoldingNative Son by Richard WrightThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark TwainSong of Solomon by Toni Morrison