//www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm
By Michele: Children's Librarian
Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information.
"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." — On Liberty, John Stuart Mill.
Censorship can be subtle, almost imperceptible, as well as blatant and overt, but, nonetheless, harmful.
What's the Difference between a Challenge and a Banning?
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. 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. The positive message of Banned Books Week: Free People Read Freely is that due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.
The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2006”
“And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, for homosexuality, anti-family, and unsuited to age group;
“Gossip Girls” series by Cecily Von Ziegesar for homosexuality, sexual content, drugs, unsuited to age group, and offensive language;
“Alice” series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for sexual content and offensive language;
“The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler for sexual content, anti-family, offensive language, and unsuited to age group;
“The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison for sexual content, offensive language, and unsuited to age group;
“Scary Stories” series by Alvin Schwartz for occult/Satanism, unsuited to age group, violence, and insensitivity;
“Athletic Shorts” by Chris Crutcher for homosexuality and offensive language;
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky for homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language, and unsuited to age group;
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison for offensive language, sexual content, and unsuited to age group; and
“The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier for sexual content, offensive language, and violence.
You may have noticed the display of Banned and Challenged books at the library this month. Several people read the list posted with disbelief. One mom said, "I love that book, why would anyone challenge that?" The idea is that everyone is different and some will find things objectionable when others find it okay. The message here is that we have the freedom to choose what we think is best and leave that choice for others also. I really like the theme for banned books week, "Free people read Freely". May we always have that choice.
Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "Don't think you're going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don't be afraid to go in your library and read every book, as long as any document does not offend our own ideas of decency. That should be the only censorship." I agree, do you have an opinion?
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