The Banned Books Read-Out in historic Bughouse Square has become a Chicago Tradition. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, the McCormick Foundation, and the Newberry Library are proud cosponsors of this event.

Chris Crutcher hosts authors of the ten most challenged books of 2009, as they read from their work and share their experiences as targets of censors.

Barbara M. Jones, Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom, described the event at ilovelibraries.org:

“The Chicago Read-Out event featured ALA President Roberta Stevens; highly acclaimed banned and challenged author and emcee, Chris Crutcher; Lauren Myracle, author of ttyl, ttfn, and l8r g8r – the most frequently challenged book series of 2009; Rick Kogan, of WGN’s Sunday Papers; Elizabeth Taylor, Literary Editor of the Chicago Tribune; Kristin Pekoll, the young adult librarian who fought to keep Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and other titles in the West Bend (WI) public library; Kent Oliver, President of the Freedom to Read Foundation; CityLit Theatre Company; Chicago Public Library’s Teen Volume Readers Theatre Project; and much more! We lit up Bughouse Square with a passionate demonstration of free speech and public defense of the freedom to read! Let’s all take some time this year to relish the almost thirty-year history of Banned Books Week, which has survived war, depression, and all manner of social change. This is one tradition we need to cherish!”