Yep, it’s that time of year again. Every year the ALA lists the ten most challenged books and sets aside a week to devote to challenged books. This year’s top ten are
It’s Perfectly Normal
Forever by Judy Blume
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
Detour for Emmy by Marilyn Reynolds
What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones
Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
Crazy Lady! by Jane Leslie Conly
It’s So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris
And you can find the 100 Most Frequently Challenged list here.
Now most of these are kids books of course. As a kid that read everything I could get my hands on, the list makes me cringe. In the first 10 on the 100 list, I read and loved 8 of those books. Bridge to Terabithea has got to be one of my all time favorite books. The Goosebumps series is one of my oldest’s favorites. A Wrinkle in Time, Blubber, Killing Mr. Griffin…A Handmaid’s Tale!? The list goes on and on.
As a writer, I’m sure my aversion to banning books is obvious. As I reader and mother, other people trying to censor our book options pisses me off. There are some exceptional books on this list. Books that teach valuable lessons and books that are just fun. I’ve handed many of them to my daughters. Are they ready for all of them? Of course not, but when they are ready those books should be available to them.
For my own mini protest in support of Banned Books Week, I’ll provide a free copy of one of my books drawn from the commentors on this post. To enter have a look at that 100 list. Do you see an old favorite on there? A new favorite? Something you look forward to passing on to your kids? Tell us all about it!
September 28th, 2006 at 4:55 pm
5.The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Now why would that be banned; a book every one should read is my opinion.
September 28th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
I read The Catcher in the Rye in high school and still can’t understand why they want to ban it all these years later. Captain Underpants? I bought some of those books for my children back when they were in elementary school.
September 28th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
How to eat fried worms?? I loved that one! I wonder if they’ll try banning the movie too?
Go Ask Alice too. My mom made me do a critical analysis of it when I was 14. Open discussion etc. Didn’t stop me from trying them, but sure made me keep a few things in mind…
September 28th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
I have several favorites on the list…
1. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
3. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
Plus several others…
September 29th, 2006 at 3:25 am
It’s sad to see this accumulation really. I can’t watch or read horror, but I could read CUJO and THE DEAD ZONE.
And HARRY POTTER? What’s wrong with that? *shaking head*
It’s just someone saying what someone else can read when you get to the basics. I don’t get into debates, political or otherwise, because they go on and on and usually end with no one being right or wrong, but nearly the same books are listed every year. The same style, the same classics.
All because a group/committee/person doesn’t like the portrayal of some aspect of the telling. Too bad we’re not allowed to think for ourselves and DECIDE if we want to read something that may not be appropriate. Or allow that same decision for our own families and children. (For those that aren’t familiar with me, that IS sarcasm)
September 29th, 2006 at 3:57 am
As a school librarian, I know all about books being banned. Thank goodness I’ve never had that problem with a parent though. Harry Potter IS my favorite of all time kids series. I could read them over and over again. I was actually on the ALA website a couple of days ago and saw the list. I just don’t understand some people. Oh well…I’m never going to allow anyone, myself included, to censor what my kids read. I might tell them to wait a couple of years, depending on the book and their age, but eventually, they’ll get to read whatever the heck they want to.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
A Handmaid’s Tale is one of my favorite books of all time. Yes, I’m sure Atwood wrote it to be controversial, but it’s still brilliant. Elegant and haunting, it’s a book I’d describe as a “Literary Futuristic”, or literary sci-fi…
ok…I’m scrolling the list…Maurice Sendak? ’scuse me? *shaking head* To Kill a Mockingbird? Roald Dahl’s Witches? (though I don’t see The Twits on the list, which is strange. Or his ‘fairy tales’, which are hilarious, but not for children
I don’t censor my son’s reading, however, I do have the ‘when you’re older’ shelf. And he doesn’t do horror. He’s a chicken
September 29th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
WHERE”S WALDO???
I just hit the bottom of the list. heh.
Zilpha Keatley Snyder (who I mentioned on my comment to Crystal’s pen name blog) is one of my favorite children’s writers ever. I still pick up her books to read.
I do *not* understand
September 29th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Its been a long time since I’ve even thought about any of these books, brings back memories. All good. A small list of a few favorites.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford
September 29th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Dayna, I think we’re long lost twins. First, GGK and now A Handmaid’s Tale.
I love that book!
Noizemaker, you’re my winner! I’m off to see if I can find your email. If you don’t hear from me, email at lori @ loribellehunt.com with your book choice and format.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Thank you so much Loribelle…I am so excited….
October 1st, 2006 at 2:25 am
Bridge to Terabithea is a banned book? I cannot believe it! I loved that book. I played BtT with my brother and cousin for hours after Sunday dinner, and they were not even in school yet!