Each year during Banned Books Week, the American Library Association tells us which titles available in public US libraries and schools received the most complaints or challenges during the previous year. In 2010, it seems, it was modern bestsellers – rather than classics from earlier decades – that provoked the most heat. Banned Books Week 2011 is being observed from Sept. 24 - Oct. 1.
#10 "And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
For the fifth year in a row, this true story of two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo who come together to raise a chick has topped the list of most challenged books. Charges made against "And Tango Makes Three" include "homosexuality, religious viewpoint and [unsuitability] to age group." The book is recommended for readers from preschool to grade 3.
#9 "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
Alexie's semi-autobiographical story of his struggles coming to terms with his own cultural identity is banned for "offensive language, racism, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence." The book is recommended for readers in grades 7 through 10.
#8 "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
Banned in Ireland when it first appeared in 1932, Aldous Huxley's dystopian story of a passive society continues to provoke controversy today. In 2010 the book was challenged on the grounds of "insensitivity, offensive language, racism, sexually explicit [material]."
#7 "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins
Hopkins' book "Crank" tells the story of a teenage crystal meth addict. It has been challenged for its inclusion of "drugs, offensive language and sexually explicit" content.
#6 "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collins' young adult series – which has dominated bestseller lists for many months – tells the story of a future where children are forced to compete in deadly games. Complaints registered against the books have included charges that they are "sexually explicit, unsuited for age group" and violent. They are considered young adult books.
#5 "Lush" by Natasha Friend
Natasha Friend's novel about a teenager dealing with her father's alcoholism drew fire in 2010 for its inclusion of "drugs, offensive language, sexually explicit [material], and [content] unsuited for age group." The book is recommended for readers of middle school age.
#4 "What My Mother Doesn't Know" by Sonya Sones
Sonya Sones' novel in verse about a teenage girl struggling through adolescence drew criticism for "sexism, sexually explicit [content]," and unsuitability for its recommended age group," which is listed as 12 and up.
#3 "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
Journalist Barbara Ehrenreich's non-fiction book about what it is like to try to live in America on minimum wage was challenged by readers offended by its inclusion of "drugs, inaccurate, offensive language, political viewpoint, and religious viewpoint."
#2 "Revolutionary Voices" edited by Amy Sonnie
The collection of stories written by young gays was challenged for its "homosexuality and sexually explicit" content.
#1 "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
Stephenie Meyer's young adult publishing juggernaut about a girl who falls in love with a vampire is banned for "religious viewpoint and violence." Last year the books in the "Twilight" series were No. 5 on the "most challenged list."
These books read creative in a few cases, dreadful to me in other. But who is out there? Parents, librarian, some internet monitor (Does that even exist), Ministers?
Aren't there educators out there who have the opportunity to inspire curiosity in many other levels of imagination. So many great stories to read in a book.
I am glad to see that SOME parents in America still read the books their children read and are alert enough to complain when unscrupulous and uncaring book publishers start pushing crap to children. It needs to be done and it has always been necessary, because let's face it---publishers exist, live and die, by how much pulp they push. Your child's mental and moral development is NOT what they are concerned about, so they constantly push the edge trying to play into the most violent and prurient aspects of your child's imagination---all the better to make a buck.
The Hunger Games has to be one of the most offensive conceptualizations of a future of humankind that I have ever read. Straight out of Dante, only set in the future. Suzanne Collins should be banned, if only because she has such a sick vision of what it is to be human and what our future society could become.
We need to give our children dreams, not nightmares. Same thing for the whole vampire cult gunk. There are real vampires in the world, people who will suck your children (and you) dry; some of them call themselves book publishers.
If your Middle Schoolers want a thumping good read that is thoughtful, mature, imaginative, and well-grounded in basic issues of morality, give them Erin Hunter's Warrior Series. Neither you nor they will regret making better choices.
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