Banned Books Book Club

This month, we will be discussing the works of Jason Reynolds. His books All-American Boys and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You have been banned, but please choose any of his works to read and come ready to discuss why you think his content was or could be challenged.

Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of many award-winning books, including Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Long Way Down, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, in the Meantime (illustrated by Raúl the Third), and Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin). The recipient of a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, an NAACP Image Award, and multiple Coretta Scott King honors, Reynolds is also the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. He has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, and various media outlets. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program and lives in Washington, DC.

For more information, please contact Shannon Foster at [email protected] or by phone at 970-429-1943

Captain Underpants, the former school principal turned crime-fighting, wedgie-dodging superhero, uses his wacky talents to outwit the evil Dr. Diaper. By the author of the Dumb Bunnies series. Simultaneous."

The prophetic poem that launched a generation when it was first published in 1965 is here presented in a commemorative fortieth Anniversary Edition. When the book arrived from its British printers, it was seized almost immediately by U.S. Customs, and shortly thereafter the San Francisco police arrested its publisher and editor, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, together with City Lights Bookstore manager Shigeyoshi Murao. The two of them were charged with disseminating obscene literature, and the case went to trial in the municipal court of Judge Clayton Horn. A parade of distinguished literary and academic witnesses persuaded the judge that the title poem was indeed not obscene and that it had "redeeming social significance." Thus was Howl and Other Poems freed to become the single most influential poetic work of the post World War II era.

Choose a book from three works related to censorship in prison, then join us for a discussion with a special guest from the Colorado State Library, Erin Boyington.

Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quiñonez

Lyrical, inspired, and darkly funny, this powerful debut novel brilliantly evokes the trial of Chino, a smart, promising young man to whom Bodega turns for a favor. Chino is drawn to Bodega's street-smart idealism, but soon finds himself over his head, navigating an underworld of switchblade tempers, turncoat morality, and murder.

Gangsta by K'wan

After the murder of a dirty Los Angeles detective, St. Louis "Lou-Loc" Alexander finds himself a hunted man. Trying to stay one step ahead of the gas chamber, he flees to New York to pick up the pieces of his life. Fate throws him a curveball when he meets Satin Angelino and falls head-over-heels in love. But although Satin is young and fine, she is keeping a secret that could cost St. Louis his life.

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Soulja

Ghetto-born, Winter is the young, wealthy daughter of a prominent Brooklyn drug-dealing family. Quick-witted, sexy, and business-minded, she knows and loves the streets like the curves of her own body. But when a cold Winter wind blows her life in a direction she doesn’t want to go, her street smarts and seductive skills are put to the test of a lifetime. Unwilling to lose, this ghetto girl will do anything to stay on top.

A graphic novel about sex, sexuality, gender, body, consent, and many other topics for teens.

Kristina is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. Then she meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild ride turns into a struggle for her mind, her soul--her life. Ellen Hopkins, whom mediabistro.com has called "the bestselling living poet in the country," exploded onto the young adult scene with her first novel, Crank, which has become a national bestseller. School Library Journal acclaims Crank as "a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction and realistically uncertain future." Publishers Weekly raves, "[Hopkins] creates a world nearly as consuming and disturbing as the titular drug."

In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble. Includes discussion questions and author notes.

Drawn from the oral traditions of American folklore, these ghost stories and tales of weird happenings, witches, and graveyards have startling, funny, or surprising endings.

Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?

A haunting coming of age novel told in a series of letters to an unknown correspondent reveals the life of Charlie, a freshman in high school who is a wallflower, shy and introspective, and very intelligent, it's a story of what it's like to grow up in high school, tracing a course through uncharted territory in the world of first dates, family dramas and new friends.