Banned Books Week: Twenty Boy Summer

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

"Don’t worry, Anna. I’ll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won’t say anything?"
"Don’t worry.” I laughed. “It’s our secret, right?"

According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.

Reasons for being banned/challenged: Twenty Boy Summer was banned from Republic, Missouri School district and Superintendent Vern Minor's reason was: "...focused on “sensationalizing sexual promiscuity.” He said questionable language, drunkenness, lying to parents and a lack of remorse by the characters led to the recommendation."

I'm big on reading about real issues and feel that people should read more realistic fiction too. But to ban a book for its realism is basically burying an issue and acting as though issues like teen sex, drugs, offensive language, drinking, and so on doesn't exist. Well guess what, it does and in my opinion, having authors who choose to write about those real issues others would rather not acknowledge is fantastic. I for one am extremely grateful for authors like Sarah Ockler!

Sarah gives her two cents about being banned.

Sarah Ockler will also be giving some presentations during Banned Books Week:

Indianapolis Details:

Tuesday, September 27 @ Noon
Presentation and book signing at the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library on. The event is free and open to the public
Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library
The Emelie Building
340 N. Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Springfield Details:

Friday, September 30, 7:00 PM
Author talk and book signing
The Library Center
4653 South Campbell
Springfield, Missouri 65810-1723

Saturday, October 1, 12:00 PM
Read-out!
The Library Station
2535 North Kansas Expressway
Springfield, Missouri 65803-1184

Saturday, October 1, 4:00 PM
Read-out!
The Library Center
4653 South Campbell
Springfield, Missouri 65810-1723

Saturday, October 1, 5:00 PM
Banned books discussion panel
The Library Center
4653 South Campbell
Springfield, Missouri 65810-1723