Today marks the start of Banned Books Week.

Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

It also deals with books that have been censored or challenged as well as banned and is sponsored by the American Library Association and recognized across the country.

The most frequently challenged authors in 2001 were J. K. Rowling, Robert Cormier, John Steinbeck, Judy Blume, Maya Angelou, Robie Harris, Gary Paulsen, Walter Dean Myers, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and Bette Greene.

The most frequently challenged books of 2001 were The Harry Potter series, for their "promotion" of wizardry and magic.

Challenged or banned books include The Lorax by Dr. Suess, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Catcher in the Rye. Even the comic book industry has faced many challenges from people who would like to censor or ban comics completely.

Many people are under the assumption that book banning is a thing of the past. Not so. Recent banning attempts took place in Missouri and Connecticut.

I started a project last year, the aptly named Banned Books Project. You can learn more about book banning there, as well as participate in raising the awareness of this practice. You can also visit the American Library Association's site to find out more information on this special week.