Challenged and Banned books

Take a peek to reveal the book that was challenged or banned, some will surprise you.

Into the River by Ted Dawe was awarded the Supreme Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at the 2013 NZ Post Children's book Awards. It also gained notoriety for its content, to the extent that it was given a classification of R14. A recent removal of this restriction prompted a request for an interim restriction order so this reversal could be reviewed. It is now a crime to supply, display or distribute this book. The women in the video below reviews Into the River and the video above is an interview with the author with the American network CNN.

You Tube: Patricia Kay

Many well-known novels have been challenged. Novels such as Of Mice and Men, Lord of the Flies, to Kill a Mocking Bird, Grapes of Wrath, Catcher in the Rye, 1984, Animal Farm, and The Colour Purple. Go to Challenged Classics to discover the reasons for the objections.

How do you feel about books being banned? When is censorship justified? Post your comment here or have a discussion with a friend.

Hogwart Houses

Image: Flickr - The talking sorting hat at Hogwarts by Loren Sztajer (CC licence)

House spirit is strong at Nga Tawa. Where would your loyalties lie if you were a student at Hogwarts? Which house would you belong to? The Guardian has created a quiz to answer this question? Take the quiz here

The rest of us just live here - Patrick Ness

(You Tube: Walker Books)

(Image: Walker Books)

Not everyone has to be the Chosen One. The one who's supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death? What if you were like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. (Inside cover)

 For a review go to The Telegraph

The Lie Tree and Pieces of Sky

(Image: PanMacMillan)

When Faith's father is found dead under mysterious circumstances, she is determined to untangle the truth from the lies. Searching through his belongings for clues she discovers a strange tree. A tree that feeds off whispered lies and bears fruit that reveals hidden secrets. The bigger the lie, and the more people who believe it, the bigger the truth that is uncovered.
But as Faith's untruths spread like wildfire across her small island community, she discovers that sometimes a single lie is more potent than any truth. (Back cover)

Review available at The Guardian

(Image: Allen&Unwin)

Lucy was the state backstroke champion, and swimming obsessed. She lived with her parents and her brother, Cam, in the small coastal town she'd known all her life. She had friends, she had goals - she had a life.

Now Cam is dead, her parents might as well be - and Lucy can't bear to get back in the pool.

Drawn to Steffi, the wild ex-best-friend who reminds her of her artist brother, and music-obsessed Evan, the new boy in town, Lucy starts asking questions. Why did Cam die? Was it an accident or suicide? But as Lucy hunts for answers she discovers much more than she expects. About Cam. About her family. About herself.

Scorch Trials by James Dashner

(You Tube: 20th Century Fox)

The second book in the Maze Runner series has made it to the screen, where Thomas must face another trial and cross the Scorch to again save himself and his friends.

Fans of the Maze Runner series can now choose their own path in an interactive Twitter adventure tagged #ScorchMaze. You get to make the decisions, and control how the story ends. For more information go to The Guardian.

The Maze Runner series is also available on the shelves.

Which fictional school do you belong in?

Image: Flickr - created by OZinOH (CC licence)

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to attend some of the fictional schools like Hogwarts, CHERUB, Malory Towers, Camp Half Blood or the Shadowhunter Academy? The Guardian has created a quiz to see which one you would most likely succeed at.

Take the quiz here.