Banned Book Week, established by the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) in 1982, begins today and wraps up October 3.Each year, the OIF documents attempts by individuals and groups to have books removed from libraries and from school classrooms. Out of 513 challenges in 2008, the 10 books most challenged are listed below. The OIF also tracks "Banned and Challenged Classics," which includes many of the top 100 novels of the 20th century.
The 10 Most Challenged Titles in 2008
Titles are linked to the Albertsons Library copy's location and call number.
Reasons for challenges follow the authors' names.
And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group.
His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence.
TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group.
Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence.
Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group.
Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group.
Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group.
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group.
Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group.
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group.
Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group.