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SEPTEMBER 6, 2003 at 1:02 PM
Posted by JAMES
Source: Tulare Advance-Register via Wizard News
Harry Potter leads a list
of the most challenged literature in America, drawing hundreds of complaints from almost exclusively religious sects or individuals this year. While the Harry Potter series is the most obvious example of a series whose right to be placed in a school or public library setting is debated, other books draw attempts of censorship from nearly as many sources.
The American Library Association-sponsored Banned Books Week, which will take take place on September 20-27, recounts past censorship and celebrates free thinking and human's capacity of intellectual freedom.
Freshman Charles Trujillo said he has read the entire Harry Potter series. He was in the school library reading "Interview With A Vampire" by Anne Rice.
"I had no problem with any of those [Harry Potter] books, and my parents didn't either," Trujillo said. "If somebody told me I couldn't read a book it would make me want to read it more."
Megan Alves and Jalisa Stevens are enrolled in Jill Sozinho's English 1B class. Both 14-year-olds said they enjoy reading. Both have read, and enjoyed, number 16 on the ALA's list of 100 most frequently challenged books: "Goosebumps" by Robert Lawrence Stine.
"I read [the books] a long time ago and I liked them," Stevens said. "The end of the stories always leaves you hanging and wanting to read more. As far as banning books because of sex or bad words, we hear grown-ups curse all the time, and they talk about sex, too."
The American Library Association displays another similar article on its website, save for the inclusion of an estimate of the amount of challlenges directed toward children's books this year
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 515 reports of challenges last year, a 15 percent increase since 2001. 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 majority of challenges are reported by public libraries, schools and school libraries. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each challenge reported, four or five remain unreported.
The "Ten Most Challenged Books of 2002" reflect a wide variety of themes. The books, in order of most frequently challenged are:
* Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling, for its focus on wizardry and magic.
* Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, for being sexually explicit, using offensive language and being unsuited to age group.
* "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier (the "Most Challenged" book of 1998), for using offensive language and being unsuited to age group.
* "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, for sexual content, racism, offensive language, violence and being unsuited to age group.
* "Taming the Star Runner" by S.E. Hinton, for offensive language. "Captain Underpants" by Dav Pilkey, for insensitivity and being unsuited to age group, as well as encouraging children to disobey authority.
* "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, for racism, insensitivity and offensive language.
* "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson, for offensive language, sexual content and Occult/Satanism.
* "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor, for insensitivity, racism and offensive language.
* "Julie of the Wolves" by Julie Craighead George, for sexual content, offensive language, violence and being unsuited to age group.
Off the list this year, but on the list for several years past, are the "Goosebumps" and "Fear Street" series, by R. L. Stine, which were challenged for being too frightening for young people and depicting occult or "Satanic" themes, "It's Perfectly Normal," a sex education book by Robie Harris, for being too explicit, especially for children, "Of Mice and Men," by John Steinbeck, for using offensive language and being unsuited to age group, "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger for offensive language and being unsuited to age group, "The Color Purple," by Alice Walker, for sexual content and offensive language, "Fallen Angels," by Walter Dean Myers, for offensive language and being unsuited to age group, and "Blood and Chocolate" by Annette Curtis Klause for being sexually explicit and unsuited to age group.
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Points: 927
ChelCho says:
Yup, Harry Potter has definitely been challenged in a lot of places. I feel bad for the kids who aren't allowed to read it, because they're missing out on a really great story.
On another note, our class read Bridge to Terabithia in like fourth or fifth grade, and I don't remember it being bad; maybe they took some stuff out for us or something...
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 1:17 PM EST
Student
Points: 281
LiLSw33ti says:
I read Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry in 4th grade and found nothing wrong with it. Why are some people SO NIT-PICKY?! If you don't like a book, don't read it, but don't stop other people from reading it!
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 1:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
I dont understand the poin of banning a book there for I, Rupertbaby, ban the banning of books everywhere!!!
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 2:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
Slytherin_Punk says:
Yep Harry Potter definatley challenges me many ares of the way i read. It makes sense thaT it made the list.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 2:17 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2881
Chogiiiirl says:
You go Rupertbaby! But seriously, I have read most of these books on the top banned list, and cannot find fault with any of them. Most were required reading for elementary, middle, or high school. I cannot imagine banning Bridge to Teribithia. That was one of my favorite books in 5th grade! Of course, Harry is at the top of the list. Banning the books makes people want to read them, one reason probably why the series is so popular.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 2:35 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
um yes this people either haven't read these books or do not understand the books. I read loads of those books there's NOTHING wrong with them. And so there now anti-Huckeberry Finn? Come on they don't understand the book then! All that racism is there to show racism for what it isand show people that it's wrong. Like Huck thought that if he didn't bring Jim in he'd go to hell and he chose hell. Doesn't that really show everything? And Bridge to Terebithia? Come on lighten up a little here.... And of course Harry Potter I know this sounds really stupid but it's true the only reason it's controversial is because it's popular. All their reasons could easily be said for HUNDREDS of books, fairy tales, movies that they aren't trashing.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 2:41 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 603
Padfoot7 says:
I've read "The Chocolate War" and "Roll of thunder, hear my cry." In no way can "Roll of Thunder" be offensive. It is about racism! It was written by a black woman... aghh! What's up with the world. Another STUPENDOUS book that is always being challanged is A Clockwork Orange. That book really makes you think and toys with your soul, but beware, it can be quite disturbing at times.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 2:50 PM EST
Student
Points: 204
Bryak says:
I will never understand why people still ban books. The only time I would ever ban a book was if I wanted it to become famous. It's like if there is a ball sitting on a table, you wouldn't care, but if I were to tell you that you could not play with it, you would want to all of the sudden to find out why I said not to. It's human nature.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 3:12 PM EST
Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
Rupertbaby and Chogirl - I am in complete agreement! Ban the banning of books - I wonder why no one has ever pursued that idea and done something with it! Maybe and idea for you, Rupertbaby...
It is a societal fact - you tell people that something is bad, and within 30 seconds 50% more people will be doing what ever it is. If reading HP is bad, I am a very very bad girl...
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 3:51 PM EST
Supreme Mugwump
Points: 2893
S.P.E.W. fan says:
Why don't they just ban everything I like. Except for the Choclate War, muct of these books I read and enjoyed without even thinking that they could be controvertial. I consider myself a highly religious person from a highly conservative religious community(Provo, Utah). Bridge to Terabithia shows a girl from a nonreligious family just asking honest questions about her classmates faith. If you're religious training is to strict to even answer innocent childlike questions, then you probably are for banning these books. So I give you Reasons to read these banned books:
* Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling: I don't think I need to tell anyone here why.
"Captain Underpants" by Dav Pilkey: For kids, written by a grown-up kid. He came up with the character in the 2nd grade and the silly slap stick humor with occasional potty humor(the kids would never hear of this without such books!)
* "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain: Culturally insesitive for our current social standards but a higly tolerant and diverse book for its time. A classic that needs to be read within the social context of the 1800's in the United States South.
* "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson: One of the best children's books to tackle the issue of death and the power of reading in fostering more then just someone else's imaginary world, but starting your own.
* "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor: Again, the American South had racial problems! If this is news to you or offends you, all the more reason to read it.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 4:25 PM EST
Animagus
Points: 19544
Sirius-Ella says:
yeah me to, I use to not want to read it cause
all I heard from christians was it was bad cause
it had wizard and sorcery and taught bad stuff
until one rainy day I decided to read and couldn't
put it down! its so good!!
-sirius-ella-
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 4:47 PM EST
Witch
Points: 742
TigerEyez says:
I love Captain Underpants! What this article talks about is ridiculous! If they're going to take away books, then why not take away tv too? I mean with books you use your imagination when it comes to any sexual happenings, but on tv they just plain show you! I don't know how many times I've been surfing channels and come across a show on HBO that is raw sex!!! I'm 16!! If that's not banned and it is clearly not age appropriate and sexually explicit, then I don't think any of the books on the list should be band.
The main reason for these books to be band is because people are afraid. I don't see why, because whatever children read it would have found out about everything in them sooner or later.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 4:50 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1227
Prongs150 says:
We keep on coming to book banning and challenges and we always respond in the same way. Everybody agrees that it's wrong. So I say we ignore them and read what we want to read. They can't watch us at all times can they?
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 5:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1645
morgana witch says:
I have a serious problem with that list. It makes me so mad to read about books that people hate for really stupid reasons. When I look at that list, one thing that comes to mind is that some of those books give a REALLY bad image of America. Many of them are about racism and stuff. Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry is a great book that, unfortunetly is pretty true. I think that all kids should read it because it's important that they learn about that time of U.S history, and that they learn about racsism.
Julie of the Wolves and Bridge to Terabithia used to be some of my favorite books when I was younger. I don't see anything wrong with them.
I could give you a reason why every one of those books is good, but I'm a really slow typer, so I'd be typing all night.
One book that I'm surprised isn't on there is So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins. If anything HAS to be "challenged literature" it should be that.
And don't even get me started on why Harry Potter isn't bad-then I really will be here all night, and not because I'm a slow typer!!!
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 8:03 PM EST
Witch
Points: 979
Butterbeer says:
Well, being that HP is a childern's book i do say that it would be challenging. Im a teenanger and when i go back and read the books i still find words that are challenging for me, and im an hornors student.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 8:18 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1092
Lord Grindelwald says:
What's so bad about julie of the wolves?I read that in school.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 9:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 712
harryroxmysocks says:
How do they know what's "suited for an age group" if they're not even part of the group. You never hear kids saying "Oh my! This book is way to innapropriate for me to be reading!" Its almost always their way-overprotective parents...If a kid doesnt like the book it doesnt mean you have to try to force your ways of raising your children on other people. Just dont let your kid read it...You dont have to get the whole world involved.
Posted Sep 6, 2003 at 11:05 PM EST
Points: 363
Hedwig says:
I don't understand how just because one person does not like a book they think nobody else should read it. The people who love the books don't make them read them.
Posted Sep 7, 2003 at 1:17 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra says:
This is unbelievable in the 21st century come on we are back in the inquisition era. People you have to open your minds and eyes: WAKE UP!
Posted Sep 7, 2003 at 10:55 AM EST
Witch
Points: 733
PotterHoney says:
Ok, I guss these people want everything to sunshine and rainbows...Come On!Most of those books aren't half as bad as they seem! Keep an open mind and quit trying to be so protective!
Posted Sep 7, 2003 at 11:02 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1990
HarrysGran says:
I agree with all of you: Ban the Book-Banning!
But what I'm interested in: Are there anywhere else in the world such ban-lists existing? I don't know about one in Germany. What about GB, Canada, Australia, Spain, Italy, Korea and so on?
Posted Sep 7, 2003 at 11:19 AM EST
Witch
Points: 959
Alcestis1 says:
Good question, HarrysGran, I was just wondering the same thing. Plus, while I don't agree with the books that people have suggested be banned, I do agree with their right to challenge them and say so. If I only let those who agree with me say anything, I would never learn!
Posted Sep 7, 2003 at 11:35 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1826
snapelupinfan says:
I can't understand the reasons of banning some books while other books containing the same topics are called "best literature". And it is interesting that there are always American "ban-lists". I don't know about any in Germany as HarrysGran stated. Why are the Americans looking so carefully on the books their children are allowed to read. I always thought it is the land of the free, but it seems not the right phrase to describe their country. Hope some of you are trying to change this!
Posted Sep 7, 2003 at 5:14 PM EST
Witch
Points: 574
Tonks007 says:
How do they pick the age groupe of people anyway imean some kids could be really smart and others could be as dumb as a door nail.
Posted Sep 7, 2003 at 8:18 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1194
Godric11 says:
This is odd because 3 of the books on that list i had to read during school..that and i've read HP..and the catcher in the rye...wich i understand why could be challenged, but hey...HP is the best. 'nough of this book banning stuff!
The world can't hold back the word...it's the only free thing the universe shares un-universally.
Posted Sep 7, 2003 at 9:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 684
Malakite says:
I've read almost all of those books on that list. Looks like I need to get a few more. :)
In the 10th grade, my English teacher pulled out the "banned" book list and told us, "here is our reading list for this year. If anyone has a problem with this, there are other English teachers on campus."
He is my favorite teacher of all time. I didn't realize then that he had to put up with a LOT of poopie over it all, especially in our too-many-Religious-objections-and-censorship-town. I wish these people would remember that Hitler himself burned a lot of books, and anything that would make ME resemble HIM would also make me stop and think again - and then NOT do it. Keeping company with the likes of Hitler isn't MY goal in life.
Posted Sep 8, 2003 at 4:11 PM EST
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