You wouldn’t expect from his mild-mannered appearance that Chris Crutcher has had all nine of his published books banned.

The award-winning author spoke Thursday night in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

In his lecture titled, “When Real Life Fiction Meets the Censor,” Crutcher discussed his past experiences as a teacher and therapist and how they have shaped the way he writes today.

Crutcher spoke about his time teaching and directing an alternative school in Oakland, Calif. He said many of his characters were based on the kids he had worked with at school and in therapy sessions.

“I realized that I wanted to be a writer and I had characters and topics all around me to write about,” said Crutcher.

“Since I didn’t read a lot, it left me without rules when I was writing.”

In his work, Crutcher addresses controversial topics including abuse, teen sexuality and bigotry – issues that have gotten his books banned.

The reasons for books to be banned are that they include subject matter that is too sexually explicit, offensive or unsuitable for the age group intended, said Olivia Madison, dean of the library.

Many students came to see the author to gain some insight on the issue of censorship.

Students who attended the lecture said they were fans of his books and the characters he creates.

Crutcher’s lecture correlates with Banned Book Week, which begins Sept. 23 and celebrates the freedom to read. Banned Book Week has been celebrated since 1982.

“Banned Book Week represents more than the freedom to express yourself,” Madison said.

Crutcher has proven there is more to express than yourself. In his stories, he has expressed the issues faced by far too many youth.

“The truth that comes out from those people’s lives is skimmed off and thrown into my characters’ lives,” Crutcher said.

“With all the kids that I have worked with throughout the years, I couldn’t find one that wasn’t like me in a way.”