As part of Banned Books Week, Illinois State University’s Milner Library and Barnes and Noble College Bookstore will host readings from banned and challenged books on Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Wednesday, Sept. 29, starting at 11:30 a.m. each day. All readings will be done on the plaza in front of Milner Library.

Excerpts from banned and challenged books will be read by Illinois State faculty, staff and students. A brief introduction of the selected books will cover the reasons why they have been banned or challenged.
Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox. Observed since 1982, the annual American Library Association event reminds Americans not to take the democratic freedom for granted.

Tuesday, September 28

11:30 – 11:45 Ren Duran: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
11:45- noon Jamie Pitts: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
12:00– 12:15 Rick Lewis: Areopagitica by John Milton
12:15-12:30 Len Childers: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

Wednesday, September 29

11:30 – 12:00 Jan Susina: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Noon – 12:15 Jacob Susina: Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren by Barbara Park
12:15–12:30 Sherri Everts: And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole