The ALA — along with the McCormick Foundation’s Civics Program and the Newberry Library — will host a Read-Out this Saturday, September 25, from noon to 2:00 PM, in Bughouse Square (Washington Square Park, 901 N Clark St., across from the Newberry Library) to kick off Banned Books Week 2010. The weather forecast (as of Friday AM) predicts a cloudy day with a high of 64 degrees (low 52) and no chance of rain. On the off chance that inclement weather strikes, the Read-Out will move to Ruggles Hall in the Newberry Library, at 60 West Walton St.

ALA President Roberta Stevens will welcome highly acclaimed banned and challenged author and emcee, Chris Crutcher, and participants will read passages from books featured on the top ten most frequently challenged book list of 2009. The event features 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 more!

Chris Crutcher and Lauren Myracle will be signing books following the program at 2:00 PM. A limited number of their books will be given away for free to all attendees.

We look forward to seeing you at the event! For more information about Banned Books Week, please visit www.ala.org/bbooks.