BANNED: There’s a reason why people try to ban books.

Books are ideas, and ideas are powerful.

Here at The Era, we embrace the power that comes from knowledge. Join us in celebrating Banned Books Week from Sept. 24-30.

Feeling defiant? Here’s a list of the 10 most challenged books from 2000-2009, according to the American Library Association:

1. “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling

2. “Alice” series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

3. “The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier

4. “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell

5. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck

6. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

7. “Scary Stories” series by Alvin Schwartz

8. “His Dark Materials” series by Philip Pullman

9. “ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r” series by Lauren Myracle

10. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky

11. “Fallen Angels” by Walter Dean Myers

12. “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie Harris

13. “Captain Underpants” series by Dav Pilkey

14. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain

15. “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison

16. “Forever” by Judy Blume

17. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker

18. “Go Ask Alice” by Anonymous

19. “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger

20. “King and King” by Linda de Haan

The best way to decide if they are objectionable would be to pick them up and read them.

We know local libraries are getting on board with the celebration, too.

Stop by your nearby library to have the librarian help you pick out something to broaden your horizon, something irreverent — or downright rebellious —or something racy.