Top 10 Challenged Books of 2011
The American Library Association (ALA) just released their list of the top ten most challenged books of 2011.
1) ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
Offensive language; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group
2) The Color of Earth (series), by Kim Dong Hwa
Nudity; sex education; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group
3) The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins
Anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence
4) My Mom’s Having A Baby! A Kid’s Month-by-Month Guide to Pregnancy, by Dori Hillestad Butler
Nudity; sex education; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group
5) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
Offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group
6) Alice (series), by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Nudity; offensive language; religious viewpoint
7) Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
Insensitivity; nudity; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit
8) What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones
Nudity; offensive language; sexually explicit
9) Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily Von Ziegesar
Drugs; offensive language; sexually explicit
10) To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Offensive language; racism
What do you think? What books have you heard about? What books have you actually read?
Not much of a reader but I am reading the Hunger Games and know many YOUNG children (ages 8-16) that have read all 3 books and find the series extraordinary. It's been compared to the Twighlight series ONLY BETTER! The books show strength of character and let the reader indulge into a whole different world. Isn't that what literature is supposed to do?
ReplyDeleteGreat comment on what literature is supposed to do.
DeleteTo Kill a Mockingbird is a literary classic. If it is being challenged for offensive language and racism, then we as a country need to take a serious look at how sheltered are children are becoming. There is more offensive language and racism on ANY TV program or news channel you turn on. Perhaps turning off the TV and challenging children to read more would help stop racism and offensive language!
ReplyDeleteTo Kill A Mockingbird is probably my favorite book. You are so right about TV. I also think you hear more offensive language just walking down the street sometimes!
DeleteAnd why not use such a book to teach about racial equality and inclusion, rather than single out any remarks that people may think are offensive.