September 27 marks the start of a week long celebration of freedom to read and opposition to censorship. According to the American Library Association, more than 400 books were challenged in 2007. The Golden Compass came in at #4 most challenged, with the primary complaint being its “religious viewpoint”. The week will feature displays in public libraries and events with authors reading sections from their favourite banned or challenged books.

The censorship issue has been a topical one, appearing in the 2008 US presidential elections when it was revealed that Republican Vice-President nominee Sarah Palin had once enquired to her town librarian about the procedure for banning books with inappropriate language, although there have not been any reports of further action being taken. The controversy surrounding The Golden Compass movie is also fresh in the minds of His Dark Materials fans, with the “misdirected” attacks lamented by Mr Pullman for their effect on the film’s box office receipts in the US.

Further details about the anti-censorship week can be found on the banned books website.