Banned Books

Banned Books Week is September 27–October 4. This annual event celebrates the freedom to express one's opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

According to ALA the 10 most challenged books of 2007 are:
1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter ParnellReasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2. The Chocolate War, by Robert CormierReasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin HenkesReasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4. The Golden Compass, by Philip PullmanReasons: Religious Viewpoint

5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark TwainReasons: Racism

6. The Color Purple, by Alice WalkerReasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7. TTYL, by Lauren MyracleReasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya AngelouReasons: Sexually Explicit

9. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie HarrisReasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen ChboskyReasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Michele, Children's Librarian