The Perks of Being a Wallflower question

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/21stcenturychallenged/2009/index.cfm

Here is a link to the ALA Top ten most frequently challenged books of 2009. Perks is on that list.

Banned means that a school district/public library/whatever has removed the book so that it is unavailable for patrons because of objections to content, etc. A challenged book is one that has been "challenged" by someone because of content, whatever, but has not (yet) been removed from use/circulation.

If you're really interested in the topic, www.ala.org, the American Library Association's website has tons of information on banned books and the freedom to read. Every year they sponsor a "Banned Book Week" and update the list of the year's most banned and challenged works.

If your look around video sites, there's also a great video of the author of Perks speaking at a BBW event. It's well worth checking out!

Along with everyone else, I absolutely loved this book. It does bother me that people out there would try to ban it from libraries, though I can see why. It does include controversial material. However, everyone should be able to make their own decisions about what they want to read, and make their own judgments about it.

Don't know why its banned some places, we have it in our High School library.

I just clicked that link and read the reasons why Perks was banned. I can't believe "anti-family" is one of the reasons. Someone completely missed the point of the book, didn't they?

I don't see any good reasons why this book should be banned. There are hundreds of books out there for young adults that include stories or mentions on drugs, sex, pregnancy, eating disorders - those issues are all a part of our society. I dont believe that the book encourages alcohol or drugs to teenagers! it is NOT what this book is about any way!

Down with censorship! This was an excellent book and I'm looking forward to seeing it translated to the silver screen.

LOVED it!

I don't think it should be banned. It was a really good book!

I saw it listed as banned because of religious viewpoints? ... could someone explain that to me? I read it recently (and thought it was brilliant) but don't even remember religion being mentioned.

i am in junior high and we have it in our library and i loved it!!!

Amy, the American Library Association (ALA) has a lot of information on banned books.
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy...

it was banned in alot of schools when it first was published not so much any more. i think it was to do with the homosexuality drugs and alcohol themes but im not 100% on that one

Hi, I'm Stephen Chbosky's assistant, Meera. He really appreciates and is truly honored to have you read and discuss his book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The movie version of Perks, which Stephen also wrote, is being released nationwide in the US today, October 12th, and he would love to invite you to see it. To find showtimes or theaters, visit http://www.facebook.com/WallflowerMov...

Thank you so much for all the support, it really means a lot to Steve. We hope you love the movie as much as we do!

I would imagine it would mean banned from a certain area, but I don't know of anywhere this book was banned from. Where is this book labeled as banned?

Just wanted to say that I read Perks last year and absolutely loved it! :)