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Week of 9.26.08
2008 Banned Books WeekThis week marks the 27th anniversary of "Banned Books Week", an effort by the American Library Association (ALA) to promote protection of intellectual freedom through access to books with "unorthodox or unpopular" viewpoints.Every year, ALA produces a list of the previous year's "most challenged books." Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Deputy Director for the ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom, tells NOW that the purpose of the list is to "raise awareness of the problem of censorship in schools and libraries and promote libraries as democratic institutions where people can access viewpoints of all perspectives." Books that make this list have been singled out for removal from libraries and schools by individuals or groups. Some books, like "The Chocolate War" which has been shunned since its release 34 years ago for including strong language and controversial scenes, makes the list practically every year. The total number of challenges declined to 420 in 2007 from the 546 requests made in 2006. 
In fact, this year's number one most controversial book was also first on the list last year. "And Tango Makes Three" references one of the currently most contested topics in the country-- homosexuality. In the book, authors Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell tell the tale of two male penguins caring for an egg from a mixed-sex penguin couple. The issue of book censorship has been raised recently with allegations that Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin made inquiries about removing objectionable library books at the Wasilla, Alaska city library when Palin served as the city's mayor. Palin has said the inquiries were merely rhetorical and part of a larger policy discussion. Last Saturday, police in London arrested three men in connection with a fire at the offices of the publisher of "The Jewel of Medina," a book about the Prophet Mohammed and his child bride. In the U.S., Random House announced last month that it had cancelled publication of the book due to fears of violence. Below is the list of the "10 Most Challenged Books of 2007" according to the ALA: 1) "And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson and 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 Moving off the list this year are two books by author Toni Morrison. "The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved" were both challenged for sexual content and offensive language. Related Resources: ALA Banned Books Week The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000 "The Jewel of Medina" Arrests GOP Campaign Downplays Palin Book-Banning Inquiry |
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