Challenging Reading

The ALA’s annual Banned Books Week celebrates something very close to my heart: the freedom to read. According to the American Library Association, more than 400 books were challenged in 2007. The 10 most challenged titles were:

1. "And Tango Makes Three" by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell

Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2. "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3. "Olive's Ocean" by Kevin Henkes

Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4. "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
Reasons
Reason: Religious Viewpoint

5. "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain
Reasons
Reason: Racism

6. "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker

Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7. "TTYL" by Lauren Myracle

Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Reason: Sexually Explicit

9. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris

Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10. "The Perks of Being A Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group