It's Banned Books Week again and in the spirit of intellectual freedom, I thought my loyal readers would be interested to know what the top ten challenged books (and why they were challenged) and authors in 2007 were; I encourage you to read one of them and enjoy knowing you're fighting against censorship and small-mindedness. Oh, and if these don't interest you, I'll put the link to the American Library Association on my links section so you can research a bit more and find one that does.
In ending this, I was wondering: what do you think of people who challenge books, why they challenge them, would you ever do so - I mean this as a community-wide thing, not prohibiting your kid for reading something you feel in inappropriate, and what you think of censorship in general? Also, notice why these books were challenged - who do you think did most of the challenging, why you think that, are they justified in their actions (their opinions are of course, their own, as I'm firmly pro-First Amendment).
Oh, and have you ever read any of these? What did you think?
The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
1) “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
2) The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence
3) “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language
4) “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint
5) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism
6) “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,
7) "TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
8) "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit
9) “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit
10) "The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
Off the list this year, are two books by author Toni Morrison. "The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved," both challenged for sexual content and offensive language.
The most frequently challenged authors of 2007
1) Robert Cormier
2) Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
3) Mark Twain
4) Toni Morrison
5) Philip Pullman
6) Kevin Henkes
7) Lois Lowry
8) Chris Crutcher
9) Lauren Myracle
10) Joann Sfar
17 comments:
I had only read a couple of those so I can't speak for the rest, but I can't quite ever imagine myself challenging any book. Part of that is because I love to read but also maybe b/c I've never read a book that I found so horribly offensive that I was disgusted. Sure I've read parts of books that I didn't like but I just skim those parts and read on. There is always going to be someone who doesn't like what you wrote, created, etc. But there are tons of others who do. Just b/c a few think it's offensive doesn't mean it should be banned. Just don't read stuff you find offensive. And the whole point about writing about racism, sexism, etc is to make people aware of it, not to gross them out. These things exist in the real world so why shouldn't they exist in books. Kay
I love you.
By the way, according to the ALA, who tracks this sort of thing, the people who challenge books the most: parents.
How is a picture book about gay penguins hatching an egg (the first book) "Anti-Ethnic"? And what does that even mean? Nevermind the other offensive things listed...Also, I find it strange that The Golden Compass is the highest Philip pullman book on the list. I would think the other two in the trilogy would be much more offensive.
I also don't agree with challenging books. People have different viewpoints and like to read different things. If you don't want to read something, don't read it. If you don't want your kid to read something, don't let them. But don't try to take that book away from someone who might like to read it.
I have no idea, since I haven't read the gay penguin book (which is of course, how I'll forever refer to it now) and I have no idea what anti-ethnic means. I'll ask around. I think it's cause people associate the Golden Compass with the movie that just came out. Next year, after the next movie comes out, it'll be the...mind went blank about title. The second one. What really surprised me was that parents are the ones that challenge books the most, and not fundamentalist or other religious people. I admit to stereotyping there. I have to watch that. Oh, and you should read this article:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/news/2007/09/protest_over_pornographic_book.html
Nick and I own that book, and I think it's awesome. I'd hand it over to my nieces and nephews in an instant, and my kids too (if I had them) except I don't want to put them on the spot. And I think that it made the book just more popular and well-known. I think a lot of people would want to read this after all the news about it. It brings attention to it. That's only my opinion.
Also, the penguin book is based on a true story - two male penguins really did raise and egg in a zoo in real life. Oh, and I've been reading some more about this, and you'll be proud to know that the Satanic Verses, by Salman Rushdie, was challenged at the Wichita Public Library because it was "blasphemous to the prophet Muhammed." I have no idea if the challenge resulted in a removal or not. Ramee - maybe you can find out?
And I can't find out what anti-ethnic means, but I'll check out the book and see if I can find out.
Also, could you guys tell me what some of your favorite books are? I've already found a ton of my favorites that were challenged, and I thought you might like to know also. Not that you can't find out yourselves, I'm just being nosy.
I knew that it was a true story and it just sounds like the cutest thing ever (I never read the book either). I totally want to buy it now though.
You know I didn't think the Golden Compass movie was as overtly "anti-religion" as the book even, and still that one wasn't as obvious as the other two books (The Subtle Knife was the 2nd book by the way) and I don't think they are making either of them into movies.
The Salman Rushdie book is still listed as being available at the library so I don't think it was removed. I was going to request it but I don't have a library card anymore (I know it's blasphemy).
I am sure one of my favorite books would be challenged if it wasn't so unknown since it is full of homosexuality. And of course Harry Potter is always challenged, which I think is weird because if some of these people would read the books and pay attention they would see full of religious symbolism they are.
I've been reading up, and it's often parents trying to "protect" kids. I can remember going into the library and checking out romance novels (those bodice-ripper types) when I was like, 10. It probably skewed my view of love and sex. :-) But protect them from what - it's, "bad language" the "homosexual agenda" "racism" "extreme circumstances" and all I can think is - which world is your kid going to be living in!?
Once again, it's just a difference in opinion. The romance novels I read daily are probably way smuttier and ridiculous than most of the books on the list. But people are afraid of these books b/c they're powerful and they worry they will influence others in a negative way. But all that shit is out there! We see it every day in movies, on the news, etc, why not in our books? Kay
It must be that they feel these are important books that could have influence over their kids, because I was way into VC Andrews when I was like 13 and those books are super twisted. Much worse than gay penguins or Huck Finn. But maybe those books are seen as more realistic than romance novels or VC Andrews, and therefore more likely to make their child think in a way that they don't agree with. And again I could understand just forbidding your own child to read a book but trying to get it removed from a library is too extreme. Of course if their kid's friend has read it, maybe they will influence their kid over its content. Damn independent thinking!
Also, your link led to a page not found message. What book is that?
Nevermind, I did some searching and I found it. I'd probably let my kids read that book too, though I haven't read it myself so I can't say for certain until I have. But I wouldn't challenge a library's right to have it.
That's what I just don't understand. I mean, I'm not a parent, but when I think about being one I think, I'm being charged with making sure my kid grows to be a full adult...and adults have to deal with stuff everyday, they need to be informed, they need to be well-read, they need to be able to read all sorts of things, and see all sorts of things and then apply critical thinking and come up with their own opinions and thoughts. I don't understand how banning a book completely - especially for a whole community - but even in your own home will accomplish raising a capable adult. I mean, I get that some kids maybe shouldn't read a book cause it might be too scary or something, age-wise. But even those romance books that people today would probably gasp at an 8 year old for reading, to me that's an education, that's a conversation you have, something to laugh and talk about. If Harry Potter is too scary, ok, but maybe read it together and talk about how it's scary, why it's scary, etc. Don't say, oh, they're too young, and then give up. I think we've become so protective in this society - and yes, it might be more dangerous today, but I don't really think it is, I think that people are just focusing on all this bad stuff, not really putting it into perspective and freaking out.
But reading about gay penguins might make you think it is ok to be gay. I think that is really what it all boils down to.
And reading Mark Twain might make you think it's ok to be racist? I know reading a book can totally change your mind about things, but it's rarely that fast. It's really that it makes you question the things you've been taught. And parents, like religions, don't really like to be questioned. I mean, being a parent is hard, and no one really knows how to do it - there's no one right way...so questioning beliefs, morals, upbringing, all of that really focuses on the fact that sometimes there aren't reasons; or maybe some of it is just that it means people will start questioning you?....I'm just thinking out loud here, trying to grasp things. Pipe in with thoughts.
And Ramee, you're right, reading about gay penguins might make it seem ok to be gay, and some people are afraid of that. But there again, there's a question or a conversation - why isn't gay ok? Why do you believe that? Ask the kid their thoughts and have them explain them. That's critical thinking and development. Why do kids HAVE to think exactly like their parents to be ok? I mean, yes, maybe you say "Don't touch the stove cause it's hot" that's protecting them from physical pain...but you explain don't you. And everyone gets burned now and again, even knowing the stove is hot...protection is so hard to come by. I was reading this book about a mom who had bought a special lock for her oven's door. And her kid would play by the door, try to open it, but of course, it wouldn't open. So she didn't have to explain WHY she didn't want the kid playing by the oven door or opening it. And the kid went to a friend's house. There was no lock on the oven door, but the kid didn't know it and ended up getting burned. I was like: just teach your kid not to play with an oven door, you freak! It's one thing if it's a baby but it's quite another if they're able to understand but it's never explained. I don't even think this applies to this, but it just blew my mind.
Well I don't know why it isn't ok to question your parents' beliefs, because I think it is. I mean even little kids will test their parents' limit just to see how far they can go before they make them angry. That is how we turn into people instead of automatons.
Huck Finn says the N word a lot and people are sensitive to that. But yeah I don't think it is going to turn anyone into racists. And the thing is, I don't really remember being influenced by books at all when I was younger. There were those books that I learned from but I couldn't tell you one that changed my worldview. Except maybe Hiroshima. I am much more likely to be influenced by a book now that I am an adult.
I am shocked that J.K Rowling didn't make the list--she is so harassed! I am a huge Harry Potter fan, by the way. Have you read the Golden Compass? I have read all three, and love them all. The people that have a problem with the Golden Compass are some Christians. They are totally freaked out by the term daemon that is used for the characters souls that reside outside the body in the form of an animal.
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