Banned Bok Week Get Out and Read Check out happenings at Maria's book store

Connie Gotsch www.conniegotsch.com Host Write On Four Corners KSJE FM, Farmington NM www.ksje.com Author two award winning novels Snap Me a Future and A Mouthful of Shell available www.dlsijpress.comCheck this out:





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Libby Cowles, Events Manager


Maria's Bookshop


libby@mariasbookshop.com


(970) 247-1438





celebrate your freedom to read during banned books week!




DURANGO (September 25, 2007)-Banned Books Week - Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. This year, it
will be celebrated from September 29th through October 6th. Observed since
1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.



Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the National Association of
College Stores. The Library of Congress Center for the Book endorses it.



Many bookstores and libraries across the nation, including Maria's Bookshop in Durango, join in the celebration with displays of books that have been
banned or threatened throughout history. These include works ranging from
the Bible to John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men."



Each year, the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom receives hundreds of reports on books and other materials that were "challenged" (their removal from school or library shelves was requested).
The ALA estimates the number represents only about a quarter of the actual
challenges. "Most Challenged" titles include the popular "Harry Potter"
series of fantasy books for children by J.K. Rowling. The series drew
complaints from parents and others who believe the books promote witchcraft to children.



The challenges reported reflect a continuing concern with a wide variety of
themes. Other "Most Challenged" titles include "The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, for its use of language, particularly references to race; "It's Perfectly Normal," a sex education book by Robie Harris, for being too explicit, especially for children; and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, for the description of rape she suffered
as a child. For more information about this year's list of challenged
books, see http://www.abffe.org/bbw-booklist-detailed.htm.



In celebration of Banned Books Week 2007, Maria's Bookshop will be donating 10% from all gift card sales to the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) until supplies of the special "Freadom" gift cards run out.