Drama by Raina Telgemeier. 240 p. Scholastic Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., September, 2012. 9780545326995.
Since 1982, the last week of September has been designated by the American Library Association as Banned Books Week. It is a campaign to raise awareness about the hundreds of books that are challenged and/ or banned in school and public libraries each year. Each title highlighted in the daily booktalks this week will feature a title which has appeared on lists of frequently banned/ challenged books.
Middle Grade Monday features Drama by Raina Telgemeier. This graphic novel about a middle school girl named Callie who joins Drama Club, has crushes and makes new friends was #2 on last year's ten most challenged books. The reason cited was the presence of two gay characters. Telgemeier was quoted as saying, "finding your identity whether gay or straight is a huge part of middle school." Books are both mirrors and windows. Readers should be able to find people like themselves in books. They should also read about others, other races, other cultures and other identities in an effort to appreciate the diverse world we live in.
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