Twilight Series Makes ALA's List of Top Challenged Books for 2009
The ALA has been releasing a list each year of books that are commonly requested to be banned or restricted from schools and libraries. Common reasons for the requests include: sex, nudity, offensive language, homosexuality, racism and religious views. Here is a list of the books that made the top ten list, along with a brief description of each book. The book made the list due to sexual content, nudity and offensive language.
Ten Books that Topped ALA's List of Top Challenged Books for 2009
1. ttyl Series by Lauran Myracle
The "ttyl" series by author Lauran Myracle is geared towards young adults (ages 13 to 18). The series revolves around the stories of three sophomore girls and is written entirely in instant messaging texts which critics say captures the histrionics and intimate intricacies of teenage girls perfectly.
2. And Tango Makes 3 by Peter Parnell and Justin Richards
And Tango Makes 3 is a story geared towards preschool and elementary students. The plot of the book is about two male penguins living in Central Park's Zoo. The homosexual theme of the story is what landed this book on the list. The book has received excellent reviews from literary critics.
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Stephen Chbosky's debut novel has been compared to that other famous controversial, coming of age novel, Catcher in the Rye. This is the story of a shy, introspective high school boy and his struggles to fit in in high school.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I have never understood why anyone would want to have this Pulitzer prize winning novel banned, yet it makes the list year after year. This is a gripping coming of age story, which graphically tells the story of racial prejudice in the deep south.
5. Twilight (Series) by Stephanie Meyer
I will admit that while I read the first three books in the Twilight series, I only enjoyed the first one. Twilight is the popular vampire series that has taken the world by storm. It is not unusual for stories of vampires to make it to the top of the ALA list. The intense romance in this young adult series also helped it get on the list.
6. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
It wouldn't be a list of banned books without Salinger's classic coming of age story. Opinions of this book often differ, and it tops my list of "teenage must reads".
7. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult, and this gripping tale of the length's a parent will go to in order to save a child's life, is one of my favorites. I was not surprised to see it on the list though, as Picoult is famous for writing about controversial issues in a way that pushes the envelope.
8. The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Macker
This book geared towards readers in grades 7 to 10, is one I am unfamiliar with. According to Amazon.com it is the story of a girl with weight issues and her travails as a student at a private school in New York City.
9. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Alice Walker's award winning novel is another of my personal favorites and a good example of how tastes differ. Again, I consider this book a "must read" for young adults.
10. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Chocolate War is another novel I am unfamiliar with. According to Amazon.com it is the story of "Jerry", a young man, who refuses to sell chocolate at a fundraiser. The story is about standing up for what you believe in.
Sources:
www.amazon.com
http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/april2010/mostchallenged2009_oif.cfm
Published by Joyce Carole
Joyce is a former marketing professional and aspiring freelance writer. She holds an MBA degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Degree in Marketing from Robert Morris University. Joyce has worked for... View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentI'm surprised to see To Kill a Mockingbird still on this list.
It is the responsibility of parents to monitor the reading of their kids. What one child is ready for is not the same as another, no matter what the age.
I agree Tink!
Given all the media, technology, and inundation of stimuli that exists all around every single day, I find lists like this ridiculous. Especially when they continue to put classic literary masterpieces on them. Do they really think they are saving anyone by creating such lists? If not books, there's TV, movies, online, and for that matter, real life and interaction with other kids that is so much racier than what they list. We should be focusing more on the kids themselves, than the sources.