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Banned Books: The Most Challenged Books of the Century

By September 28, 2016September 23rd, 2017Discussion and Recommendations, News

We’re half way through Banned Books Week now and we hope you’re getting involved and rebelliously reading at least one challenged text, or adding it to your TBR! The event is celebrated worldwide but is promoted by the American Libraries Association (ALA) who condemns censorship around the world and keeps records of books challenged and banned in the USA.

We’ve looked at the most challenged books of the last twelve months, and now I’m taking a look over this century, from 2001 to 2015 to bring you the most controversial book of each year. As you’ll see, bannings often reflect trends and social constructs and they change each year, highlighting hot issues of the year.

 

2015

Looking for Alaska – John Green

Reasons: Offensive Language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group

Looking for Alaska US
Looking for Alaska UK

Looking for Alaska Review

2014

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian – Sherman Alexie

Reasons: Anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs, alcohol, smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence, depictions of bullying

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian US
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian UK

Submit a Review?

2013/2012

Captain Underpants – Dav Pilkey

Reasons: Offensive Language, unsuited for age group, violence

Captain Underpants US
Captain Underpants UK

Submit a Review?



2011

ttyl; ttfn; 18r, g8r (series) – Lauren Myracle

Reasons: Offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group.

ttyl US
ttyl UK

Submit a Review?

2010

And Tango Makes Three – Peter Parnell, Justin Richardson

Reasons: Homosexuality, religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group.

And Tango Makes Three US
And Tango Makes Three UK

Submit a Review?

2009

ttyl; ttfn; 18r, g8r (series) – Lauren Myracle

Reasons: Offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group.

ttyl US
ttyl UK

Submit a Review?

2008/2007/2006

And Tango Makes Three – Peter Parnell, Justin Richardson

Reasons: Homosexuality, religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group.

And Tango Makes Three US
And Tango Makes Three UK

Submit a Review?

2005

It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing up, Sex and Sexual Health – Robie H. Harris

Reasons: Abortion, homosexuality, nudity, religious viewpoint, sex education, unsuited to age group

It’s Perfectly Normal US
It’s Perfectly Normal UK

Submit a Review?



2004

The Chocolate War – Robert Cormier

Reasons: Offensive Language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence.

The Chocolate War US
The Chocolate War UK

Submit a Review

2003

Alice (series) – Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Reasons: Sexual content, offensive language, unsuited to age group

Alice US
Alice UK

Submit a Review

2002/2001

Harry Potter series – J. K Rowling

Reasons: Occult, Satanism, violence

Harry Potter US
Harry Potter UK

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Review

I have to say, this entire list is disheartening to say the least. What a tragic state of affairs when some of these books received upwards of 300 challenges in schools and libraries across America IN THE 21ST CENTURY! (yes I shouted that bit)

Do you really think that a gay penguin is going to corrupt your children, or that children learning about their biology is harmful some how? And all that before Harry turns your kids into devil worshippers.

I’m speechless.



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