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A spokesperson describes the event as follows:
"...Every year since 1982, the American Library Association has released a list of the top ten most frequently challenged books as reported to their Office of Intellectual Freedom. BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK features those books, celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the first amendment. City Lit Theater will present the 2024 BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK at six different locations in the greater Chicago area, from the far south side of the city up to the northern and northwestern suburbs.
City Lit Executive Artistic Director Brian Pastor says, "The freedom to read is essential to a civilized society. For many marginalized communities, the freedom to read represents the freedom to be themselves. City Lit is proud to continue its BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK program at a time when attempts at book banning are at an all-time high. We are pleased to ally ourselves with the American Library Association in this important work."
The BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK script is produced and adapted from the “Top 10 Challenged Books” by City Lit Education Director Katy Nielsen. Nielsen says, “BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK is about opposing book bans, but also extends to any unconstitutional efforts to abridge the freedom of speech, including banning and censoring social media platforms or demonstrations of political speech.” The 2024 cast will include Noelle Klyce, Andrea Conway-Diaz, Gordy Andina, Meghan Norine McGrath, and Obi Ehn..."
WHEN/WHERE:
Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2023:
1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Number of challenges: 106
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Number of challenges: 82
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
Number of challenges: 71
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, sexual education, claimed to be sexually explicit
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Number of challenges: 68
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drug use, profanity,
5. Flamer by Mike Curato
Number of challenges: 67
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Number of challenges: 62
Challenged for rape, incest. claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
7/8. (TIE) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Number of challenges: 56
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
7/8. (TIE) Tricks, by Ellen Hopkins
Number of challenges: 56
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content
9. Let's Talk About it: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Mathew Nolan
Number of challenges: 55
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content
10. Sold by Patricia McCormick
Number of challenges: 53
Challenged for: claimed to be sexually explicit, rape
The 2024 performance schedule for BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
Thursday, September 12 – 7:00 PM
Park Ridge Library
20 S. Prospect Ave.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Sunday, September 22 2:00 PM
Chicago Public Library, Edgewater Branch
6000 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60660
Tuesday, September 24 – 7:00 PM
Northbrook Public Library
1201 Cedar Lane
Northbrook, IL 60062
Wednesday, September 25 – 6:30 PM
Live performance on Zoom from the McHenry Public Library
Thursday, September 26 – 2:00 PM
DePaul University Library
2350 N. Kenmore Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Saturday, September 28 – Time 12:00 PM
Chicago Public Library
Blackstone Branch
4904 S. Lake Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60615
