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ALA's 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books 1990-2000
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Lorena
(last edited Aug 14, 2008 09:43AM)
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Aug 14, 2008 09:43AM
If anything knowing someone doesn't want me to know/read something it makes me more determined to go at it!
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oh come on! They've got to be kidding with some of these reasons.“A Light in the Attic” by Shel Silverstein was challenged ...because the book “encourages children to break dishes so they won’t have to dry them.”
I agree with you, Lorena. In fact, I think that while some of these books are truly great in and of themselves, they have gained even greater fame due to the controversy surrounding them...people want to 'see what all the fuss is about'. :-)
Charity - yes, some of these are awesome books, the sad part is, can you just imagine how many parents out there follow this instructions and prive their children of these wonderous works.
I always have to think of Judy Blume's quote:"It’s not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers."
Actually it's funny a few other Mom's in our school won't allow their children to watch or read Harry Potter. I laughed because they have huge potty mouths and they let their children watch CSI. They thought Harry Potter is bad because of the "Magic" and the "violence".
Oh, none of the mom's read the books to see that their is value in them.
It's funny I think.
In my senior year our school district banned Beowulf. But my teacher said that you can't start English Lit without it and said that if any parents had a proble to let him know. We all read it then he really pushed a lot of banned books. Greatest teacher I every Had!
Oh, none of the mom's read the books to see that their is value in them.
It's funny I think.
In my senior year our school district banned Beowulf. But my teacher said that you can't start English Lit without it and said that if any parents had a proble to let him know. We all read it then he really pushed a lot of banned books. Greatest teacher I every Had!
3.I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou7.Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
13.The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14.The Giver by Lois Lowry
16.Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
70.Lord of the Flies by William Golding
those are the ones that I have read. I dont really understand why The Giver would be banned though.
I just got around to reading this thread. And I agree with many of you that the reasons are ridiculous. Maybe it is the rebellous side of me but being told a book is banned just makes me want to read it. I think sometimes as adults we tend to over analyze things and keep information from our kids that they could actually benefit from. What ever happened to communication between a parent and child?
Banned Books week is September 27- October 4.
I plan putting up posters and a display at my library branch. The main library here does posters and puts up a list of books also. I think it does one other thing but I don't remember what it is.
I just read through this as well. My 9 year old has read seven- and I gave them to her! Muaa ha ha!I did a presentation on cutting at a middle school where several parents were concerned about their children self-mutilating. A couple of parents were upset that the book "Cut" was in the school library at the time and were a bit irritated with me for not agreeing with them that "herein lies the problem."
I think banning books is about fear, more than anything else.
I am reading a banned book - James and the Giant Peach - to my daughter right now. She is LOVING it. What I find funny about my reading it to her is that because I know it was banned for the word "ass" I really seem to emphasize that while reading. I put a little umph behind it.
Hmm... not too many on that list that I've read...1.Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
2.Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine (I read quite a few of these when I was younger.)
3.Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
4.A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
5.The Witches by Roald Dahl
6.Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
7.To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
8.A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
9.Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
10.James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
11.The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
12.Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Saw the movie but didn't read the book.)
13.Carrie by Stephen King (Saw the movie but didn't read the book.)
And... these two are on my "to-read" shelf.
1.The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
2.The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
I can understand why a lot of these books might be controversial but, some of them, I've gotta wonder!
I've read 11. James and the Giant Peach..??? A Wrinkle in Time...???good grief!! These were the books that inspired IMAGINATION and fantasy in my reading choices. @@ yes, apparently I'm evil...
Here is an example of the mindset of people who challenge these great books...I used to work in a video store (this was in the mid-90's before anyone EVER heard of DVDs). We had a TV where we always played kids movies (nothing more than PG, and even some PG was off limits). No one ever complained, until a church group came in and complained that we were playing....drumroll...(get ready for it!)..... old episodes of Muppet Babies. No kidding. Because it encouraged children to use their imagination. My manager was like "Um...I don't think I see the problem," continued to let the movie play and referred them to the owner if they really wanted to complain.
Obviously, these are the same types of people who would complain about James and the Giant Peach or Where the Sidewalk Ends!
Muppet Babies? WHAT? They are perhaps my all-time favorite kids show. And, what's wrong with your imagination? How do you think stuff gets invented? UGH!
When you have an imagination you begin to question the world around you. Some people don't like that, which is sad.
In order to maintain my faith in humanity, I have to assume that these were banned as a joke.
Probably not, if the to-do down here over The Grapes of Wrath was anything to go by.
#68 Imagination allows dissenting views that conflict with the orthodox views & the devil can enter your mind while it wanders so stick to prayer & sacred music. So say some of the Saints in this jurisdiction. Meditation? The surest road to domination by Satan! Oh Yeah!
I have read or at least been familiar with at least half of these books. I believe books are banned because they represent a different view of society than the majority represents at the time of publishing. That always changes eventually. Does anyone think Sister Carrie is bad now? I don't think so. It has to do with what is taboo at the time. It will change eventually. Ev everything fanciful has its' objection. but it changes every day.
Heaven forbid children use their imagination and question societal myths. lol. Oh and I definately have Muppet Baby love.
Hi, I'm new to the group & this discussion. It's a great one. My grandfather owned & edited a newspaper & used to rant about censorship, so I learned to hate it at an early age. I've read a couple of dozen on the list at the beginning of this thread & about as many on the other banned book that was given as a link. I actually agree with banning one of the books - the Anarchist Cookbook - from school libraries. I have several copies & there are a few things in there that are pretty dangerous. I don't think it would be in any school's interest to allow that on the shelves in these litigious times.
Otherwise, I agree with all the comments above, especially the reasons against "Bridge to Terbithia" for "...disrespect of adults, and an elaborate fantasy world that might lead to confusion." I could say the same about most of my history text books through out school.
Kids reading, like kids surfing the net, should be monitored by an adult. I read & discussed both with my kids because there are a lot of ideas out there that I didn't approve of them believing in. They're going to see garbage, so you have to prepare them to weed through it.
For instance, I let my boys read the "Anarchist Cookbook" & we even tried some of the stuff. Some we decided was too dangerous or costly & some was just stupid. Since the book wasn't forbidden, it was just another book that contained a mix of information.
Emma: I agree, maybe some where banned as a joke.
Still I am disgusted at many of the books that have been banned.
Still I am disgusted at many of the books that have been banned.
It might be suprising to most people but Twain was NOT IN ANY WAY a racist. Both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn (more the later) were written to expose racism for what it was (and is). Both books sarcasticly approach the topic, so it often gets lost in translation.
As for the use of the "N-Word" (for which the books were banned), Twain was one of the first authors to write in dialects authentic to the places,people, and time periods of his stories. He did not write those words to be racist but to accurately capture the natural way in which his characters lived and spoke. (Twain even notes this himself in Huck Finn.)Other authors employ similar methods; Faulkner and Steinbeck are a prime examples.
For those of you interested, Time mag did a wonderful article on Twain for the July 2008 volume. including a time-line of his life and a map of his travels and subsequent travel-writing.
Oh..This makes me want to go back and re-read two of the greastest novels in American history. If it weren't for the growing stack of books beside my bed.
Absolutely fascinating about Sarah Palin! I'd like to hear more about this attempt of her's to ban books, I hope another news outlet picks up on it!
I'm wondering what were the books that she wanted "banned"? Is there anywhere that says what those books were?
I googled "Palin book ban" without the quotes & found this site:http://www.librarian.net/stax/2366/sa...
which says that a possible list is here:
http://www.librarian.net/stax/2366/sa...
I find the list itself & the lack of supporting documentation suspicious. I did a little reading around & while it seems certain that Palin asked about it in 1996, I didn't find any record or support of the letter Palin supposedly sent to Mary Ellen Baker telling her she'd be fired. Baker did resign as library director, but in 1999. I didn't read much that had any hard facts - just a lot of rumors & outrage.
I remember another political candidate who seemed squeaky clean - Geraldine Ferraro. It was amazing how her personal life got blown out of proportion during her campaign. This could quite possibly be a smear campaign. Personally, I'd rather wait for the facts.
Personal lives of politicians ALWAYS get blown out of proportion. If Palin didn't want that to happen, she didn't have to accept the VP bid. Even though it sounds like no books ended up being banned from that library, Palin even inquiring about it shows an appalling lack of understanding of our Constitution.
I've read 26 of the books on the list, and wouldn't ban books in my house. My Dad had the philosophy that if I could read the book, it was up to me to decide WHAT to read. He was a Baptist preacher, and he felt that if he had done his job, and taught me good moral standards, that reading someone else's ideas wouldn't hurt me. He is curious about everything, and our house was always full of books. I read everything from Tom Sawyer and The Secret Garden to The Happy Hooker. I'm still Baptist, and still read whatever I like!
I too read a lot on the list, I actually encourage my children to read banned books since the majority of the time the book is banned for stupidy.
23 total - and I think I'll protest by printing out this list and reading MORE!I'm in shock!
why is is that the lives of repub. politicians get attacked (in mainstream media) more than those of dems? It seems to me that the other canidates are not so squeaky clean either but we don't hear much about it. And when do we start focusing on the bigger issues. Hate to say it but banning books is not (or should not) getting someone or keeping someone from being elected!I am with Jim. I too found little evidence backing the idea that Palin was "fired" for "banning" books. I'll wait till the FACTS are in!
Food for thought? You asked for facts, try these:Shortly after becoming mayor, Mrs Palin approached the town librarian about the possibility of banning some books.
Ann Kilkenny, a Democrat who said she attended every city council meeting in Mrs Palin's first year in office, said Mrs Palin brought up the idea of banning some books at a council meeting. "They were somehow morally or socially objectionable to her," Ms Kilkenny said.
The librarian, Mary Ellen Emmons, pledged to "resist all efforts at censorship," Ms Kilkenny recalled. The mayor fired Ms Emmons shortly after taking office but rescinded the sacking after residents made a strong show of support. In 1996, Mrs Palin suggested to the local paper, the Frontiersman, that conversations about banning books were "rhetorical".
"why is is that the lives of repub. politicians get attacked (in mainstream media) more than those of dems?"That has to be the most hilarious things I've ever heard! Which mainstream media? Where? Point me in the direction. I'm apparently not receiving the same media feeds. Is it a secret feed?
"And when do we start focusing on the bigger issues. Hate to say it but banning books is not (or should not) getting someone or keeping someone from being elected!"
Hard to get much bigger than the FIRST AMENDMENT!
As voting Americans we have an obligation to know all we can about a candidate.Ken, I couldn't have put it any better myself. A person's past is their resume when it comes to politics. Because we are electing these people to oversee the most important aspects of life in America, everything should be on the table come election season. Clinton's collegiate pot smoking? Fair game (though a total non-issue). Bush's going AWOL from the Texas National Guard so he could load up on hookers and blow in Louisiana? Fair game (though Dan Rather paid for this expose with his career). Sarah Palin's membership in a political party devoted to Alska's secession from the Union? Fair game. John McCain's years spent as a POW in North Vietnam? Fair game.
Politicians don't get to cherry pick from their life experience when putting together their "election face."
One nice thing about the Internet & modern technology, it makes banning books much more difficult. If you look around, you can find many books on-line for free. They're not always legal, which brings up its own issues - authors deserve to be paid - but it sure helps out when the Powers That Be decide you can't read the real thing.I wonder if the Federalist Papers have been translated to Chinese?
Sarah- Banning books, or even attempting to do so, SHOULD keep a person from running the country. Like I said in an earlier post, it shows an appalling lack of understanding of our Constitutional rights! When a President is sworn in, he swears to uphold the Constitution. Here we have a perfect example of someone who has already attempted to do just the opposite. And regarding the attack on personal lives...Logan said it better than I could! Also, I'd like to point out that her attempting to ban books is not a part of her personal life. That is a part of her public life and THAT is definitely fair game.
Who was it who said "First we kill all the lawyers..." when discussing how to improve the country? The plain matter of fact is, if they've been in any kind of politics for long, they've done something I wouldn't do at some point. And God knows I'm no saint! Peel the the labels on politicians, and they're all alike - they are lawyers who can argue their way out of most things, know how to cut deals to get what they want, and have special training in double-speak. Sometimes I think they should not let any politician hold his job for more than 4 years, from local judges to the Supreme Court, to the Congress, and the President. At least they'd have to change people often enough that as few new ideas might sneak in!
Rebecca, term limits were one of the issues which helped catapult Republicans back into power during the nineties. Then once they were in power, look how many of them conveniently forgot their promise to stay only one or two terms.It's a strong person who willingly gives up power. None of them are in Congress.
I find most of the time people screaming to have a book banned have never read it. Very sad.
A point I would like to make is that not only is banning books against the first amendment but it is also the seed of prejudiceness. Don't we have enough prejudiceness in our country as it is? Most of these books are banned based on one person's sad little opinion which is PURE prejudice.
I agree with Diane, most of these people who are banning the books most likely never picked the book up and read it.
Just look at how many classics and talented writers have been banned. Just down right insane.
I am in agreement with the many others that someone who bans books should not be in public office. They clearly can't represent the people as a whole and they are also infringing upon our rights as American Citizens.
I agree with Diane, most of these people who are banning the books most likely never picked the book up and read it.
Just look at how many classics and talented writers have been banned. Just down right insane.
I am in agreement with the many others that someone who bans books should not be in public office. They clearly can't represent the people as a whole and they are also infringing upon our rights as American Citizens.
I think that it is crazy that we are suppose to be more educated, more advanced than many before us and there are still people banning books for some of the weirdest reasons...My daughter is presently reading, My Brother Sam is Dead for school and I have also read it. There is nothing wrong with this book. A good book that teaches about the 13 colonies.
I could understand if some of the books are not age appropriate or maybe should be at the discretion of the parents, but to go as far as destroying a book, come on...now
Oh, dear, I remember a lot of those books in the list. Some of them, I'm not sure why they're banned.
I've read 21 of those books and I can only see why one of them was somewhat objectionable. Mommy Laid an Egg by Babette Cole is very close to the bone as are all Babette Cole's sex books. Its absolutely hilarious and the pictures are wonderful. I would imagine the people who object to the book think that sex is very serious, must only be engaged in when married and under no circumstances must children be allowed to find out that its really the greatest fun of all.I know Babette Cole (which isn't why I wrote the above but is why I read the book). She's a lovely lady, a bit doolally, lives half the year on a boat, with a sweet little girl voice half a century younger than she is. She says she makes no money from the books but lots from the sale of the paintings she does for them.
Who actually makes those lists? Is it the ALA because they seem to be for free reading... It is just too much for me that someone can decide a book has to be banned, isn't that a compelete subjective thing?
Jeane this list was made by the ALA based on reports they received from librarians across the country over what books had been challenged at local and school libraries. The ALA in no way endorses the banning of books, but instead releases this list to DISCOURAGE banning books. Banned Books Week is next week!!! Anyone reading anything special?
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