ALA’s frequently challenged books of the 21st century
Each year, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of the top ten most frequently challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. The ALA condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information.
A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. The number of challenges reflects only incidents reported. It is estimated that for every reported challenge, four or five remain unreported. As such, the findings are not comprehensive.
2012
Out of 464 challenges as reported by the Office for Intellectual Freedom
- Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey.
Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie.
Reasons: Offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group- Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher.
Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited for age group- Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James.
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit- And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson.
Reasons: Homosexuality, unsuited for age group- The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini.
Reasons: Homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit- Looking for Alaska, by John Green.
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group- Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: Unsuited for age group, violence- The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit- Beloved, by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Sexually explicit, religious viewpoint, violence
What was so fascinating about the top ten books listed are the reasons why these books are being challenged. Consider that the most common challenges are due to “offensive language”, which appears six times and “sexually explicit” content which appears seven times. “Homosexuality”, “Violence” and “Religious Viewpoint” all tied appearing twice. Although the data is not exhaustive, it is interesting to ponder the reasons books are being challenged and how that might intersect with current trending news stories. Consider more recent news stories about gay marriage, violence and religious viewpoint, for example. Then consider popular television shows, beauty and fashion advertisements and popular music that promote either offensive language and sexual explicitness or both. In a more general sense, it is equally interesting that some categories appear at all but there they are.
Below are some graphs courtesy of the ALA website:
Do you agree or disagree that some books should be censored or banned in schools because of the reasons listed? Would you add categories or take some away? What are your thoughts?
Interesting! I find myself (as a parent, perhaps) thinking that it makes sense for parents to have input on what is inappropriate for school libraries. However, I imagine that a “challenge” isn’t reason for a school to act—perhaps just to start a discussion and see if others feel a book should be included in a collection. Democracy in action!
I don’t think that books should be banned because it becomes a slippery slope of what constitutes as inappropriate. I think as educators and parents it’s our responsibility to guide student reading and to ask provocative questions that help students form their own opinions and standards. Students should have access to books and information so that they can begin to think critically for themselves and have mature conversations about what they are reading. The fact that ‘homosexuality’ and ‘religious viewpoint’ are top reasons for banning books in schools, just further makes me feel that books shouldn’t be banned. How upsetting to think that adults who have trouble accepting homosexuality or religious freedom and diverse beliefs are preventing children from being exposed to fantastic books that can broaden a student’s horizons.
Thanks Brian and Rebecca for your thoughts.
Hear hear, Rebecca. You said it perfectly.