Banned Book Week, an annual event led by the American Library Association, will be held Sept 27 to Oct. 4. The ACLU of Connecticut will hold two unusual events – remembering when comic books and popular singers drew censorship.
MOST OFTEN CHALLENGED:The 10 most-challenged books of 2007, according to the American Library Association’s’ Office for Intellectual Freedom, were:
1) “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/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
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.
The most frequently challenged authors of 2007
- Robert Cormier
- Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
- Mark Twain
- Toni Morrison
- Philip Pullman
- Kevin Henkes
- Lois Lowry
- Chris Crutcher
- Lauren Myracle
- Joann Sfar
