In honor of Banned Books Week, here's the list of last year's top-ten most frequently challenged books (according to the American Library Association):

1. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: drugs, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

2. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: homosexuality

3. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: anti-family, drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group

4. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Reasons: offensive language, racism, unsuited to age group

5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

6. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

7. My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult
Reasons: homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence

8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

9. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

10. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Reasons: nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

Labels: Book Ban, Censorship, Library news

...let's all celebrate Banned Books Week!

Labels: Book Ban

My local bookstore is selling the American Library Association's "Banned Books" bracelets. There's an adult version featuring Howl, Alice in Wonderland, The Color Purple, and three other titles for about $20, and an adult-sized kids' version with The Adventures of Captain Underpants, King and King, To Kill a Mockingbird and three additional titles for about $18. Both are cute, although the picture quality for the covers is low.

Note: If you haven't already done so, have a talk about book censorship with any young readers in your household--you'd be surprised at how many kids and teens have no idea that some of their favorite books are controversial subjects. (Your local library should have a book devoted entirely to challenged and banned books in their reference section.)

Labels: Book Ban, Censorship, Shopping

The Washington Post is reporting that a mother of four in Gwinnett County, Georgia, is seeking to have the Harry Potter books banned from the county's school libraries, claiming that the books promote and glorify witchcraft. Happily, the school board appears to be shooting down this suggestion.

Not that Harry Potter fans should be breathing a sigh of relief just yet--Gwinnett County has a history of asinine library-related decisions. Last June, the county's library board eliminated $3,000 from their budget that had been set aside to buy Spanish-language books, claiming that some residents were concerned that the money was going to entertain illegal immigrants. The board later reversed the decision, but let's face it: that's not the kind of behavior that inspires much confidence in their judgment.

NOTE: Clearly, retail giant Target is also part of this vast witchcraft-promoting conspiracy! Not only do they sell the Harry Potter books, but check out their so-called "Glitter Witch" costume (above). Doesn't it look like something that Satan's handmaiden would wear?

Labels: Book Ban, Censorship, Harry Potter

And thank you for Goodnight Moon.

Apparently, the New York Public Library banned Goodnight Moon when it first came out, which just goes to show you that even super awesome librarians who work in super awesome libraries can occasionally be doofuses.

Labels: Book Ban, Censorship, Children’s Book

...from the horrors of gay penguin love. Thank you, fine parents in Savannah, MO! Way to keep your eyes on the important stuff!



From the AP Wire:

"Parents Complain About Book's Undertones

March 04,2006 | SAVANNAH, Mo. -- A children's book about two male penguins that raise a baby penguin has been moved to the nonfiction section of two public library branches after parents complained it had homosexual undertones.

The book, written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, was moved from the children's section at two Rolling Hills' Consolidated Library's branches in Savannah and St. Joseph in northwest Missouri.

Two parents had expressed concerns about the book last month.

Barbara Read, the Rolling Hills' director, said experts report that adoptions aren't unusual in the penguin world. However, moving the book to the nonfiction section would decrease the chance that it would "blindside" readers, she said."

Labels: Book Ban, Censorship, Gay