Celebrate Banned Books Week 9/27/08-10/4/08

psst… want a banned book???
The Guarini Library has them!
September 27 - October 4, 2008

most frequently challenged books in 2007:

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 420 challenges last year. 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. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.

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 (Juv. .R523a)
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2) The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier (Juv. C811c)
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3) “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes (Juv. H513oL)
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4) “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman (Juv. P982N)
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint

5) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain (Juv.C625ahbn)
Reasons: Racism

6) “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker(PS3573.A425 C6 1982)
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7) "TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle ( We will be getting it!)
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8) "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou (PS3551.N464 Z466 1971B)
Reasons: Sexually Explicit
9) “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris ( Juv. 612.6.H316IT 1996)Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10) "The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky (Juv.C513p)
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.

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

Check OSCAR on the Guraini Library Home Page to find books by these authors
http://sirsiprod.njcu.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/x/0/49

Check http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/

Check http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/challengesupport/challengesupport.cfm
if there are challenges to books in your library or school!