It is still unbelievable to me that a Banned Books Week is still necessary in our open society. It starts this weekend. With a concentrated study and love for children's literature, it is an issue that is forefront in my mind and it is a constant fight.

     Maddening is how the those who want to ban books demand and profess their rights using the same Amendment that would ideologically deny their claim of censorship. The first Amendment is all inclusive, non-preferential.  The position of emboldened supremacy they often act from is very confrontational and unapproachable. It takes a strong, immediate and unbending stand to counteract such attempts at banning. It was a proud moment when reading the account of the Palin Rhetorical Book Banning and hearing the librarian's forthright and solid response.

     So honor the spirit of the word, please visit this site and see how the issue is still alive. Honor the work of all our librarians and their often remarkable professional pride. Instead of going to the nearest Barnes and Noble this weekend, visit your local library. Bring your checkbook too – they often run on such a borderline budget that even a $10 donation would be welcomed.

     As an addendum, if you grew up with the often thin and hollow Children's Literature outside of the classics that I did, revisit the area again as an adult. You will be amazed at the explosive growth in solid literature in this market. Ask your librarian for a suggestion – you can find challenging, humorous and sophisticated works even for adult sensibilities.