The 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007-2008

ALA Adds More Controversial Books to This Year's List

Aug 21, 2008

Most frequently banned books 2007-08, stock exchange

Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) compiles a list from schools and libraries of the most challenged and controversial books. Here's a look at 2008's list.

This year marks the 27th annual celebration in support of literary freedom, the weeklong Banned Books Week sponsored by The American Library Association (ALA). The ALA updates the list each year to coincide with the events of Banned Books Week with new books being added in each subsequent year.

These selections come from a result of 420 formally submitted challenges placed to the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom filed by either a library or school. Complaints are commonly made due to what is deemed to be inappropriate content and subject matter.

Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2007-08

Here is a brief overview of the most frequently challenged books of 2007-08 along with what have been the most commonly made objections for each one.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence
Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes. Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language.
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Religious Viewpoint
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Racism
The Color Purple by Alice Walker.Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language
TTYL by Lauren Myracle.Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Sexually Explicit
It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris. Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit
The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. Reasons stated for challenging the book's suitability for schools and libraries: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

It might be worth noting that several books have fell of this year's list. Those were both written by Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye and Beloved.

Top 10 Challenged Authors of 2007-08

Some of the most widely challenged authors of 2007-08 include the following:

Robert Cormier
Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Mark Twain
Toni Morrison
Philip Pullman
Kevin Henkes
Lois Lowry
Chris Crutcher
Lauren Myracle
Joann Sfar

The thematic concepts and overall subject matter of these books is a bone of contention between teachers, parents, libraries and young readers alike. Issues of censorship arise, as well as an increased interest in children's desires to read books that are deemed off-limits.

For more information about this year's most frequently challenged books, visit ALA's website.

The copyright of the article The 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007-2008 in Literary Events/Celebrities is owned by Lisa Rufle. Permission to republish The 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007-2008 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Most frequently banned books 2007-08

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Comments

Sep 18, 2008 1:12 PM

Guest :

So if a book has these two main topics (Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language) it will be well received by students and vilified by parents :)

I think Amazon.com needs a Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language category :)

spr

Jan 13, 2009 4:48 AM

Guest :

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, are they insane. I may not agree with her religion but her writing is an insperation.

Feb 26, 2009 3:11 PM

James Richardson :

Scratch the surface of a book banning advocate and at best you'll find a closet fascist. At worst, a fanatic who believes that their personal judgment is superior in all things, not just literature and would love nothing better than an opportunity to prove it.

Censorship in school libraries is the thin edge of the wedge. Once you deem that certain material is off limits for reasons of age, it's a short step to putting that material off limits to adults for other reasons.

If a person chooses to have a child, part of the deal is that they are responsible for raising it and that means explaining things like sex, homosexuality, religion and other topics that might cause confusion in a developing mind. Putting books on those topics out of reach just makes them more interesting to kids. Better to let them read them and then take the time to explain the new ideas. It's called "Parenting".

Apr 30, 2009 7:00 AM

Guest :

This is ridiculous. If you're going to challenge or ban those books for those reasons, you can ban just about any book. I think the whole idea of book banning is ridiculous.

May 16, 2009 11:07 PM

Guest :

How can anyone take this list seriously? Captain Underpants was on it for years! It's an insult to have a list of such great literature as "To Kill a Mockingbird", "Of Mice and Men", and so many of the other CLASSICS up there with "Captain Underpants"--a really fun series by the way. This is a great list of books to make sure your well rounded child (and you) read and discuss together. Thanks to the closed minded people out there for doing the leg work.

Aug 31, 2009 6:18 PM

Guest :

You forget the book "The Hoax of the Twentieth Century"

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