Reading Recommendations for adults from the staff of Oshkosh Public Library.
This year, Banned Books Week is October 6th through the 10th, so our staff picks this month are selected from a list of titles that have been challenged or banned. For more information on banned or challenged books and how we celebrate our Freedom to Read, check out our Freedom to Read page here. --Sarah
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
A pivotal work in world history, Anne’s diary tells the story of her family’s time spent hidden in an attic in order to escape the Nazis during WWII. She recorded their time with faithful honesty and a growing sense of dread. When they were discovered and taken to a concentration camp, Anne’s diary was left behind. It was kept safe by the house’s owner, and Anne’s father, the only member of her family to survive the camps, retrieved it when he returned. Touched by his daughter’s wisdom, he shared her story with the world. Anne’s diary has been challenged many times, and versions of the book have been outright banned in several school districts in the United States.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s poetic memoir describes her life as a Black child in a small Southern town. It’s a coming-of-age story full of innocence, honesty, hardship, tragedy, and a blooming wisdom. Maya Angelou is one of the greatest poets, essayists, and activists of all time. This is the first of several autobiographies that tell the story of her incredible life.
An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
The indigenous peoples of the Americas have rich and varied histories. If you’ve ever been curious about the history of the continent before European explorers stumbled ashore, this book will open your eyes to a vast story of complex civilizations. From agricultural ingenuity that would alter the evolution of our entire species, to trade routes and road systems to rival the Roman Empire, this book provides an enriching introduction to indigenous history.