The Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books in America

Not as impressed with this list.

Looking for Alaska had sex? I honestly don't remember that.

Charles wrote: "Lysergius wrote: "I can see that these books might be unsuitable for a 12 year old, but surely not for adults?"

Yes.. because 50 Shades is certainly nothing explicit compared to.. Lolita."
there's also, on the banned and challenged books site, a section devoteted to Classics, where Lolita is Indeed present... With other things such as Animal farm or 1984. Which, when you think about it, it's quite funny. because it is about censorship and control of information, in a way...
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlyc...

Charles wrote: "50 Shades is hardly explicit.. it's just really boring. and one-note. and bad. and boring. did I already say that?"
Let's not forget that it's a Twilight fanfiction poorly written, filled with mary-Sues and poor psycology....

Jaksen wrote: "These are books that have been challenged, not banned. That means someone somewhere or a committee (or likely one parent) has complained to a school official or librarian about their inclusion in t..."

When I was a kid in school, it was Judy Bloom books. Any time a teacher caught a girl with a Judy Bloom book, it got confiscated. Which, of course, led to more sales of Judy Bloom books. (Blume?)

I read A Wrinkle in Time as a child and can't think of a tamer science fantasy appropriate for children. I still remember Tesseract. How could any educator possibly object to this book?

Elisabetta wrote: "Charles wrote: "Lysergius wrote: "I can see that these books might be unsuitable for a 12 year old, but surely not for adults?"

Yes.. because 50 Shades is certainly nothing explicit compared to.. ..."

All this talk of Lolita is going to have me re-read it. It really is a classic...

Michael wrote: "Looking for Alaska had sex? I honestly don't remember that."

Blowjob scene and porn. I mean, it wasn't explicit, but it was there. No sex scenes, though, funnily enough. XD

Jaksen wrote: "These are books that have been challenged, not banned. That means someone somewhere or a committee (or likely one parent) has complained to a school official or librarian about their inclusion in t..."

Thank you for clarifying. Also, I'm assuming this is a resent, not all inclusive list. "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!" -Patrick Henry still
runs through my mind whenever anyone talks of censorship.

I think that a lot of these books are challenged for school libraries, but also in public libraries because younger than 18 year old see and have access to them. Most times, unlike movies with a rated R rating, you can't as a librarian deny say a 16 year old from checking out "50 Shades of Gray" (because you know they've heard about it).

It floors me when I see conversations between parents about what is "suitable" content for their 13 to 18 year old to read. I am apart of a adult book club on Facebook in which a mother asked if The Goldfinch was a good book for her daughter to read. Many adults said no on the fact that the book had "adult" themes like drugs and alcohol and sex. I also heard someone at an ALA conference tell their 14 year old daughter that she didn't want her to read "Girl in Pieces" because she was afraid it would make her daughter "sad". I feel that many people would rather ban books that have this subjects then actually having meaningful conversations with their kids about them. I remember I went to my grandmother at 14 to talk about the book The Lovely Bones and instead of having a conversation with me told me she was concerned about what I was reading. If she would have had a conversation she might have learned how I was working out a similar situation as the main character (although very different obviously).

Sorry, this is extremely long. I just can't stand people using the idea that books somehow are going to introduce ideas into their head that they already haven't thought about. Obviously, if a 15-16 year old is checking out Fifty Shades of Gray they are either interested in or have already had sex.

Official end of rant.

You have a great point. I think it is probably much easier to ban the book than to have that much needed, honest discussion.

Saman wrote: "Wow. These are the "banned books"!!
I can never understand why people would ever read these books."

You obviously don't read if you can't understand why people would read the books on this list.

Sue: I think The Clan of the Cave Bear and it's five sequels have been Challenged a LOT for it's views on evolution, rape (Ayla and Madenia) and so-called "racial memory," among other things.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time is cleverly written and it does not seem that offensive or inappropriate, surprised it is classed as banned. Read it years ago after my mum recommended it. 50 Shades of Grey was OK but seemed a bit over the top and a little boring in some parts. Not read Looking for Alaska yet- will post about that when I have. I have read The Fault in our Stars, also by John Green. His style of writing does not seem that explicit/ unsuitable for the age group based on that.

Elanna wrote: "Is it for real? The Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime is CHALLENGED in America?
In Italy it was a major hit with educators, and nobody has ever found anything strange in reading it to childr..."

Agreed, I loved The Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime when I read it in school. It was such a great step in the right direction from the children's books' usual carbon-copy protagonists.

Amorphous wrote: "His Dark Materials! The Amber Spyglass. Part of it is censored in the US version."

I love His Dark Materials! :-) I didn't know it was censored in the US though.

Mark wrote: "Interesting to note that a couple of years ago To Kill a mockingbird made the list because of racism. Hmmmm pretty sure that is the point of the book - to highlight the appalling treatment that the..."
Yes, I sometimes wonder how many of those who challenge books have actually read them.

Amorphous wrote: "His Dark Materials! The Amber Spyglass. Part of it is censored in the US version."

Wait, what? Is it the bit near the end w/ Lyra and Will? Why don't publishers realize that not only kids read "kids"books and that to deny any reader the chance to decide if a book is or isn't for them is a denial that readers are smart enough to choose for themselves?

This is a list of "the most frequently challenged books of 2015, based on reports of complaints in schools and libraries as well as media reports" compiled by the American Library Association. Does "challenged" = banned? Probably not. Anyone can complain and we all do. (Read above and below.)

Melissa wrote: "This is a list of "the most frequently challenged books of 2015, based on reports of complaints in schools and libraries as well as media reports" compiled by the American Library Association. Does..."

According to the ALA website, "Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others."

In other words, I doubt it is just "complaining" but actively trying to remove a book through the challenging process In other words, challenging a book is bringing the book to court. Whether it is banned or not is the sentence of that court. So books that are frequently challenged have been taken to court the most in that year.

Holli wrote: "Can we get something other than mostly homosexual\transvestite books? Everyone is turning this into a diverseathon when it is really meant to be about reading books that challenge our minds.
This ..."

I totally agree. I'm definitely down with books that change viewpoints, but I'm getting fed up with diversity being thrown around everywhere. This list can't touch some of the banned books throughout history. I'm starting to get the feeling I could write a terrible YA novel about confused gay boys and sell a million copies just because of the subject.

Many books on the Banned Books List have been repeat "offenders." The list changes over time and if you notice what's on each year's list, you can see what the major societal issues are. Lately, any book dealing with LGBTQ issues will appear, especially if it is in a children's book and even YA. Adult books tend to get challenged for the same reasons, 50 Shades is not about a typical relationship with vanilla sex. So those who like to challenge, will challenge what goes against the norm (or what is perceived as the norm). As a School Librarian and someone who grew up without YA lit, I was reading adult topics before I was ready but had a mother who realized this and told me that if I had questions to ask her. I was lucky. I hope to instill this with my son. I know that I cannot have those same discussions with the students that come into the library, but I can make sure that if the book has gotten a decent review, I will be purchasing that book.

The Bible? Religious viewpoint? There are thousands of books out there with 'Religious viewpoints and they don't get critiqued! This list is stupid and...terrible.

Wow. Looking for Alaska's on this list? I already know it was banned in a couple of libraries, but it wasn't that explicit tbh. Just another YA book for crying out loud.

Elanna wrote: "Is it for real? The Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime is CHALLENGED in America?
In Italy it was a major hit with educators, and nobody has ever found anything strange in reading it to childr..."

Laura wrote: "Ok, I'm sorry, but this is the stupidest thing ever. I think it's hilarious that our country prides itself on "equal rights" and "freedom" and other stuff like that, yet it completely goes against ..."

They aren't really banned in any meaningful sense. You can buy the books, read the books, talk about the books. At most they won't be used in schools, and in the case of 50 Shades that's a pretty logical move. A better title for this would be "Controversial Books 2015".

Still stupid that these things (LGBT issues, "anti-family" whatever that means, complex sexual issues) are considered so controversial instead of something to be discussed but it's not like actual censorship.

DavidSG wrote: "I have read the Bible. Nothing provocative there. Unless you want to live a life with no rules."

The incest, infanticide, rape, torture, and explicit murders were pretty provocative when I read it... :p

Nadwa wrote: "Wow. Looking for Alaska's on this list? I already know it was banned in a couple of libraries, but it wasn't that explicit tbh. Just another YA book for crying out loud."
Very popular book in my library.

DavidSG wrote: "I have read the Bible. Nothing provocative there. Unless you want to live a life with no rules."

Yes, nothing at all wrong with stoning people to death, cutting off people's foreskins and then murdering them while they're too sore to do anything, killing someone for being gay or eating shellfish ... but I'm guessing you're going to carefully ignore those parts while you self-righteously snort at people who don't respect your idiotic 'rules'.

Lynette wrote: "Melissa wrote: "This is a list of "the most frequently challenged books of 2015, based on reports of complaints in schools and libraries as well as media reports" compiled by the American Library A..."

Thank you for the clarification.

Lysergius wrote: "I can see that these books might be unsuitable for a 12 year old, but surely not for adults?"

I agree. But why are they banned anyway, no one is forcing you to read them. Also I don't know why the Bible is banned mainly only Christians, Catholics, Jews read it. No one is forcing his or her beliefs on you, yes I know some people do, but God said preach the Gospel, not force it on people. Yes I believe in God & you aren't gonna change me!

Elisabetta wrote: "Charles wrote: "Lysergius wrote: "I can see that these books might be unsuitable for a 12 year old, but surely not for adults?"

Yes.. because 50 Shades is certainly nothing explicit compared to.. ..."

Another one is Fahrenheit 451 and at one point in the novel we learn that in fact, this whole burning-books stuff didn't begin with censorship, it was just people losing interest in reading(and that books are just crap anyway! ) Sound familiar? This was written ages before the Net, computer games, etc.

Charles wrote: "50 Shades is hardly explicit.. it's just really boring. and one-note. and bad. and boring. did I already say that?"

I agree! I read the first book and it's all the same. When you read hundreds of pages in which everytime happens the same thing, no change at all, you wonder...this is so boring, when is it going to change? I was a really boring book for me.

Nullifidian wrote: "DavidSG wrote: "I have read the Bible. Nothing provocative there. Unless you want to live a life with no rules.."

Your second sentence casts doubt on your first. There are numerous violent episode..."

Gosh, you read so much into my short comment that isn't there.

Looking at these books, I don't know why a normal person would want to read about so much abnormal behavior. I don't see a lot I would waste my time on. And I read about 2-5 books a week, and have been for more than 50 years. I suppose that, since society now embraces so much abnormal behavior, there is a market for it. I guess I am lucky there are so many good books out there for me that I don't have to bother with these.

Selina wrote: "DavidSG wrote: "I have read the Bible. Nothing provocative there. Unless you want to live a life with no rules."

The incest, infanticide, rape, torture, and explicit murders were pretty provocativ..."

Brava, Selina. You too, Blind-guardian: Bravo.

What a massive disappointment this list was.

Books about mild sex and kids that suffer from gender-confusion?

Surely goodreads could muster up a list of books that tackle topics outside the ones championed by liberal echo-chamber campi?

Amorphous wrote: "His Dark Materials! The Amber Spyglass. Part of it is censored in the US version."

What is changed? I love this trilogy and am curious to know the difference

Charles wrote: "50 Shades is hardly explicit.. it's just really boring. and one-note. and bad. and boring. did I already say that?"

Agreed. Boring boring boring and the characters are both annoying

Susan Southwood * Author wrote: "LeeAnne wrote: "Charles wrote: "50 Shades is hardly explicit.. it's just really boring. and one-note. and bad. and boring. did I already say that?"

Agreed. Boring boring boring and the characters ..."

FSOG movie's soundtrack is off topic.

Surprised no one has jumped on my earlier comment about The Clan of the Cave Bear and it's five sequels.

I loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and I can't imagine why it would be challenged. I thought it was a wonderful commentary on the abilities of children with autism.

The ALA merely reports what has been challenged (usually by parents, church groups, etc) each year; they don't choose the books. You can go to the ALA web site and see previous years' challenged books also. I personally like the t-shirts that are out there and list earlier books, also cups and jewelry. Banned books are a freedom of speech issue for all thinkers. As a former librarian, I think books in general are pretty mild compared to our society and culture in general. It would be nice if parents did more to police their kids, but let's face it---what parent is going to take away the "smartphone"? I personally look forward to each year's "banned" books. Looking at it historically, it is a microcosm of society and its values (or lack thereof). The fact that in a sort of back-handed way, it encourages reading and discussion is terrific.

Add Toni Morrison's "Beloved"--according to a Virginia legislator in March 2016, it represents “moral sewage” "smut" and is “profoundly filthy.” On Twitter he publicly derided a high school teacher for having students read it.

A lot of these books show up on the list year after year. A lot of the ones mentioned throughout the comments because they didn't make the list are also on it year after year. The country has not banned them. It is libraries and schools that "ban" them by either removing them from their particular shelves and send in a report to the ALA about it. Some of the best books I have ever read have come from the "banned" and challenged list. If I am ever to teach at the high school level, I would push for those so-called "dangerous" books to be the ones taught.

And yes, Shakespeare has been banned/challenged. So has Lolita, Slaughterhouse Five, To Kill a Mockingbird, and even the dictionary. Reading the list and why the books were challenged is actually quite interesting.

I still don't want to read 50 Shades. It just sounds stupid to me. But hey, I'm not going to stop someone else from reading it just because it doesn't appeal to me.

Lysergius wrote: "I can see that these books might be unsuitable for a 12 year old, but surely not for adults?"

They are supposedly inappropriate for whichever age group they were each written for

50 Shades is intellectually offensive to anyone who finished high-school. The dialogs are just plain stupid and the characters are incredibly shallow. I don't know in what possible universe would a graduate of literature speak like an uneducated teenager (the Thomas Hardy elements are there just for... uhmm what exactly? The literature she "loves" obviously had no impact on her language or mind) and a seriously successful businessman be so emotionally unstable and rearranging his schedule around the aforementioned goose.

I would imagine 'If I DId It' making a list like this, am I right?

I'm not convinced a "challenge" to a school or school library (especially if it's below high school) deserves the label of "banning".

Frankly this reads like a list of bad porn books for the most part.

Well, as somebody pointed here, these are the most CHALLENGED books, based on lybrary, etc. It's a list from last year, so a lot of books, as Lolita, aren't here.
But take a look at the site they point as origin of the information. It is at least funny to see that in 2013 "The Kite Runner", by Khaled Hosseini, was challend based on "Offensive language, unsuited to age group, violence"... And Sexual education is a reason for anyone to challenge a book?
About somebody who questioned that homosexuality is still considered a reason for challenging a book, it is 5th in the list, challenges due to "sexually explicit" are the most commom.

But it shows how books, in spite of all the comments that no one reads anymore, still stir some blood on the community.

Dani wrote: "Charles wrote: "Lysergius wrote: "I can see that these books might be unsuitable for a 12 year old, but surely not for adults?"

Yes.. because 50 Shades is certainly nothing explicit compared to.. ..."
Yeah Lolita is explicit, 50 shades meh... Nabokov wrote Lolita don't remember his first name. I'm shocked Catcher in the Rye and Huckleberry Finn aren't listed. Catcher in the Rye was hardly explicit, just some cussing. Finn alittle more but it was because of the time it was written.

Dave wrote: "Ban them all I say...then see what happens. Do this and gun control will look like a walk in the park. Why? Because the First Amendment is fundamental to everything we believe in this country. Alth..."

Fahrenheit 451 is on the list at my library, not as banned, but as challenged as unsuitable for children. I read it when I was 14, and was horrified by the burning of books. Books give people ideas, you see, therefore they need to be banned [that is tongue in cheek sarcasm for those who might not "get" that.]

Adalis wrote: "I'm all for reading banned books, but I'm not reading 50 Shades of Grey because it's just a crappy book."

I agree ;)