2013 Banned Books List

 Banned Books Week 2014  takes place September 21-27th

Each year, the ALA'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.

Here is the list of Frequently Challenged Books for 2013:

1. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey(Juv. P638a)
   Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group, violence
2. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison (PS3563.08749 B55)
   Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence)
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie (Juv. A3847a)
   Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group)
4. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James
   Reasons: Nudity, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
5. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (Juv. C7136)
   Reasons: Religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group
6. A Bad Boy Can Be Good for A Girl, by Tanya Lee Stone
   Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit
7. Looking for Alaska, by John Green (Juv. G7955L)
   Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group
8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky (Juv.C513p)
   Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group)
9. Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya  (PS3551. N27 B6)
   Reasons: Occult/Satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit
10. Bone (series), by Jeff Smith (Juv.S6512b)
    Reasons: Political viewpoint, racism, violence