October 12, 2023
2023-10-12T18:00:00
Banned Books Club meets monthly on the second Thursday at 6:00 PM in the Conference Room at Arcata Public Library. To become a member, please email Cayman at the link below. You must be 18 or older. Questions? Call Arcata Library at 707-822-5954 during open hours.
500 7th Street
(behind and below City Hall)
Arcata, CA 95521
Free. Sponsored by Humboldt Library Foundation and Friends of Arcata Library.
6:00 PM, Arcata Library's Banned Book Club, 'Crank' by Ellen Hopkins (in Person and via Zoom).
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Today we discuss ‘Crank’ by Ellen Hopkins. Loosely based on the real life addictions of her daughter, this novel follows Kristina, a junior in high school who tries methamphetamine for the first time while visiting her father for the summer. Written in free verse, this novel is often required reading, not only for high schools, but also drug court programs. Despite high praise and review, this book has been challenged and banned since it was first published.
Banned Books Club
In observance of October as Substance Abuse Prevention Month, as well as Banned Books Week from October 1-7, we are reading 'Crank', the first novel written by Ellen Hopkins -- who is one of the most consistently banned authors in the United States.
The Banned Books Club, brought to you by Arcata Public Library, was hatched from curiosity about the books we've been told to avoid. Book banning has been around for centuries in the U.S., and even longer internationally. Who are the people and/or groups challenging and banning these titles? What are the reasons cited? Where in the U.S. are we seeing this occur? These are some of the questions we will be asking and as we explore each title, we will discuss trends and patterns we see emerge from historical and current bans.
Due to the nature of the titles we will be reading, the book club is an 18+ space.
Discuss Banned Books with Cayman
Say 'hello!' to Cayman, one of Arcata Public Library's Assistants and the host of our new Banned Books Club! Cayman's pronouns are She/Her/Hers, she has worked for Humboldt County Libraries since January 2022 and is currently a student at Cal Poly Humboldt working towards her Bachelors of Arts in Literary Studies. She is an avid collector of pressed pennies, first edition books, and hopes to adopt a kitty this year. This is her first time hosting a book group. Cayman looks forward to learning and growing with you all!