'Potter' comes off challenged book list

  February 17, 2005 at 12:48 AM ET
  Cheeser     Wizard News (via ALA)
  most challenged books, challenged book list, of mice and men, harry potter


For the first time in five years, JK Rowling's Harry Potter books did not make the American Library Association's list of most challenged booksopens in new window. A challenge is defined as a written request to have materials removed from a school or public library because of perceived inappropriateness.

"Not every book is right for every person, but providing a wide range of reading choices is vital for learning, exploration and imagination," said ALA president Carol Brey-Casiano.

John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men came in at #10, but along with Potter, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which has graced the list in previous years, dropped off as well.

The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom received 547 challenges last year. Director Judith Krug spoke about censorshipopens in new window at Nimbus - 2003, the Harry Potter fan conference held in Orlando, Florida in July 2003.

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