Jul 09, 20 most commonly banned books some books have been repeatedly banned or challenged throughout history. Of the 566 books that were targeted, here are the most challenged, along with the reasons cited for censoring the books. The 2017 list of most banned books included the kite runner, the hate u give and i am jazz. The most frequently challenged, banned, and relocated books. As each sequel was released, libraries and churches across the u. Find more shareable statistics on the free downloads webpage. Apr 14, 2015 the american library association said the book, which has appeared on the list for four years running, is frequently challenged as being antifamily, culturally insensitive and sexually explicit. The harry potter series, three of which were published in the u. Leaving controversial titles such as these out of your collection or limiting their access is not the answer to challenges. Jun 19, 2019 the most recent incident happened in 2009 when the book was challenged in the big sky high school in missoula, montana. The ala office for intellectual freedom tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2019. As a classic and a challenged book, ray bradburys fahrenheit 451 made the list for the most frequently challenged books from 20002009.
The most frequently challenged books the most frequently challenged books that people try to ban. These are the 100 most frequently challenged books from 19901999 according the american library association. The book was challenged because of its cover featuring an image of two boys kissing, and because it was thought to include sexually explicit l. The most frequently challenged and banned books in the us. John greens 2005 novel was the most challenged book of 2015. Banned books week champions challenged literature cnn. It is an extremely detailed book that covers a wide. Stories about sex, and lgbtq sex in particular, are among the most challenged, and therefore in the most need of vocalized support. Its better for them to know and learn about it from a book or a teacher than for them to make mistakes firsthand and regret it later. Banned and challenged picture books by wendylibrarian a staffcreated list.
Featuring 24 hot button books, hit list for children 2 presents a whos who of childrens literature writers including dahl, allard, blume, rowling, stine, lengle. For a book to be included on the list for banned books week, it has to have been removed or restricted. These are the most challenged books, according to the a. Rowling was the most challenged work from 2000 to 2009. They found that of the 100 most frequently challenged books from 2000 to 2009, more than half addressed issues about race, sexuality andor disability. Most commonly banned books some books have been repeatedly banned or challenged throughout history. There are lots of reasons that books can be challenged or event banned. This is perhaps suggestive of political atmospheres and. The book hit shelves in september of 1998, and it became the most frequently challenged book of 1999. List of most commonly challenged books in the united states.
Ala releases top 11 most frequently challenged books of. The bars in blue represent how often that excuse was given for all book challenges the oif has recorded. Most frequently challenged authors of the 21st century. Apr 14, 2015 the most challenged book on the list was the absolutely true diary of a parttime indian by sherman alexie, a story about a native american youth with disabilities attending a white high school. Sep 26, 2018 jay ashers 2007 young adult novel of the same name was the most challenged or banned book last year, according to the american library associations office for intellectual freedom oif. List of 100 most frequently challenged books 200009. Religious groups, in particular, have targeted the 1962 novel, arguing that the book undermines religious beliefs and challenges their idea of god.
Thirteen reasons why written by jay asher originally published in 2007, this new york times bestseller has resurfaced as a controversial book after netflix aired a tv series by the same name. Sep 29, 2017 the giver, by lois lowry lowrys classic childrens novel is usually challenged for similarly classic reasons. Rowlings harry potter series took the world by storm, it has faced many attempts to. Author robie harris childrens book on sex, puberty, and relationships was perhaps doomed to appear on the most frequently challenged list. Oct 01, 2015 rank of sherman alexies the absolutely true diary of a parttime indian on oifs list of top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2014. Top 10 most challenged books lists advocacy, legislation. Sep 26, 2017 as a classic and a challenged book, ray bradburys fahrenheit 451 made the list for the most frequently challenged books from 20002009. Banned or challenged books, grades 58 teachervision. Browse audiobooks in frequently banned and challenged. Despite a 1953 publication date, the book did not appear on the 19901999 list. Top 10 most challenged books of 2019 national coalition. The 35 most frequently banned books of the past 5 years.
Frequently banned or challenged due to obscene language, immoral behavior, antireligious attitude, and references to prostitution. Apr 21, 2020 in 2016, for example, an election year defined by political debates over bathroom bills, immigration and race, several of the most frequently challenged titles shared themes of gender, religious. The freedom to read is one that we often take for granted. These kids books listed in no particular order have been challenged and in some cases, banned for a variety of reasons.
Many titles that we consider to be classics were challenged, censored, or banned when they were first published. Its topics relating to things such as witchcraft have generated controversy. Even so, if the list is to be taken more as an overview, a clear trend emerges. People are scared children will be scarred for life if they read a certain book. Lets kick off national library week with last years most frequently challenged books. The book, alexies first foray into young adult fiction, won the national book award for young peoples literature in 2007. It was and may still be illegal to sell or possess the anarchists cookbook in washington state. Banned and challenged picture books edmonton public. Dec 17, 2017 the book hit shelves in september of 1998, and it became the most frequently challenged book of 1999.
Among the 10 titles that parents and other gatekeepers challenged or banned are comingofage graphic novel this one summer and drama, an illustrated story with an lgbtq character. Audiobooks in frequently banned and challenged books in celebration of banned books week, here is a selection of the most frequently banned and challenged books in america. Again, some fundamentalist christians have a problem with talking animals in literature. The most recent incident happened in 2009 when the book was challenged in the big sky high school in missoula, montana. Each year, the alas office for intellectual freedom compiles a list of the top ten most frequently challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. Individual states have banned books as recently as the 1980s. The story of a society where all the art and ideas that are useful but dangerous are held in the mind of single citizenwho then passes them on to a selected heiralso deals brutally with concepts of managed reproduction, sending some. The bestselling hit list series gives you the information you need to defend challenged. Just because you dont know that a book has been banned doesnt mean it hasnt. Sex, politics and the banned books of 2016 the new york times. The 2017 list of mostbanned books included the kite runner, the hate u give and i am jazz.
Apr 08, 2019 the organization uses information from the media as well as book challenge reports to create its annual list of the most challenged books. Ala releases top 11 most frequently challenged books of 2018. Please note that the most frequently challenged authors may not appear in the list of most frequently challenged books. Aug 04, 2016 john greens 2005 novel was the most challenged book of 2015. This year 11 books were selected, since two titles were tied for the final. For example, if every one of judy blumes books was challenged but only oncenot one of her books would make the top 10 list, but she herself would make the most challenged author list. The most frequently challenged books of 2017 mpr news. The statistic illustrates the most frequently challenged book titles in the united states between january 1, 20 and august 6, 2014. The bestselling hit list series gives you the information you need to defend challenged books with an informed response, all the while ensuring free access to young book lovers. Investigate the 100 most frequently challenged books for 19901999 and 20002009. Of the 566 books challenged or banned in 2019, the following are the top 10 most frequently challenged. The giver, by lois lowry lowrys classic childrens novel is usually challenged for similarly classic reasons. Aug 14, 2014 the chart below plots the top five most common reasons the giver was challenged in red. Sep 27, 2017 the book was challenged because of its cover featuring an image of two boys kissing, and because it was thought to include sexually explicit l.
The american library association said the book, which has appeared on the list for four years running, is frequently challenged as being antifamily, culturally insensitive and sexually explicit. Apr 11, 2018 topping the alas list of the most challenged books in 2017 is jay ashers thirteen reasons why, a young adult novel that was recently adapted into a netflix series. This is a list of books that appear the most often on banned books lists and are available at butler university irwin library. Difficult books are not the same thing as bad books. Her young adult novels are typically about coming of age issues such as teenage sexuality. My english teacher printed out banned books from 19902009 and it had stupidass reasons like antiethnic the hunger games, of all books and sarcastic. Madeleine lengles fantastical story of a girl travelling through time and space to rescue her father has ranked on alas 100 most frequently challenged books from 19902009.
Sep 28, 2018 author robie harris childrens book on sex, puberty, and relationships was perhaps doomed to appear on the most frequently challenged list. The book was banned from school libraries in albemarle county, virginia, when a parent complained about offensive language. The most challenged book on the list was the absolutely true diary of a parttime indian by sherman alexie, a story about a native american youth with disabilities attending a white high school. The most frequently challenged, banned, and relocated. The american library associations office for intellectual freedom reported that of the 483 books challenged or banned in 2018, the following eleven there was a tie at the bottom received the brunt of the bashing. According to the ala, this book has also been moved up to the list of the top ten most frequently challenged books in 2015.
Included in the report is alas annual top 10 list of the most challenged books in libraries from the past year. The most banned and challenged books of the past 5 years. Last year, for the first time, the top two most challenged works were graphic novels for young adults, and half of the top 10 most challenged books were illustrated narratives. Harry potter and 20 years of controversy intellectual. The top 11 most frequently challenged books of 2018 list is included in alas state of americas libraries 2019 report. These are the 10 most banned and challenged books in america. In its own chapter, each book is succinctly profiled.
The american library association deemed it the most censored book from 1966 to 1975 and the tenth most challenged book from 1990 to 1999. Sex, politics and the banned books of 2016 the new york. Sep 27, 2019 the week of september 2228 is known as banned books week, an annual campaign used to raise awareness of banned or challenged books and celebrate the freedom to read. Jay ashers 2007 young adult novel of the same name was the most challenged or banned book last year, according to the american library associations office for intellectual freedom oif. This is perhaps suggestive of political atmospheres and priorities during these periods. Sorcerers stone was the most frequently challenged book in the u. The most frequently challenged books of 2016 complaints about books range from the theme of suicide in thirteen reasons why to profanity and sexual content in alexies book. The most challenged or banned books between 200009 were the harry potter books, the alice series by phyllis reynolds naylor, and the chocolate war by robert cormier. Defending frequently challenged young adult books is an invaluable collection of fiftytwo of the most infamously challenged young adult books. Traditionally the ala releases a top ten list within the state of americas libraries report. The american library associations office for intellectual freedom reported that of the 483 books challenged or banned in 2018, the following eleven there was a tie at the bottom. Frequently challenged books for kids and teens at one time or another, all the books on this list have been challenged by individuals or groups seeking to have them removed from libraries or classrooms, according to the american library association.
The great gilly hopkins, a newbery honor book by katherine paterson, was one of the 100 most frequently challenged books of the 1990s and 2000s. This book has also been constantly challenged due to its use of racial slurs and strong language. Eight of the 10 titles identified in the american library associations annual ranking of the most frequently banned or protested books featured l. Apr 11, 2017 on monday, the american library association released its annual report of the most challenged books and articles nationwide. Apart from that, the book also discusses many topics like poverty, alcohol, violence, bullying, and sexuality. Its worth noting that while the ala keeps close tabs on reported book challenges, not all challenges are reported. Topping the alas list of the most challenged books in 2017 is jay ashers thirteen reasons why, a young adult novel that was recently adapted into a netflix series. There are books that explore the boundaries of taste and. Check out the list for 2018 below, with an explanation of. List of most commonly challenged books in the united. Harry potter and the sorcerers stone, a wrinkle in time, blubber, scary stories to tell in the darkthese are some of the most beloved, and most challenged, books.
List of 100 most frequently challenged books 199099. These are the 10 most banned and challenged books in. Oif receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books and compiles this information into lists in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools. Another challenged book which often appears in the top ten most challenged books list, to kill a mockingbird is a heavyweight contender for the title of the great american novel.
Of the 416 books challenged or banned in 2017, the top 10 most challenged books are. Judy blume is the author featured most frequently on this list 5 times. Sep 25, 2017 last year, for the first time, the top two most challenged works were graphic novels for young adults, and half of the top 10 most challenged books were illustrated narratives. Often the reasons are political, legal, religious or moral. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because. Banned and frequently challenged books book collecting guide. In the 1980s, it had the unusual distinction of being the nations most frequently censored book, and, at the same time, the second most frequently taught novel in the public schools. The week of september 2228 is known as banned books week, an annual campaign used to raise awareness of banned or challenged books and celebrate the freedom to read. In 2016, for example, an election year defined by political debates over bathroom bills, immigration and race, several of the most frequently challenged titles shared themes of gender, religious. Most frequently challenged books of 20 bless me, ultima by rudolfo anaya first landed on the top 10 list of most frequently challenged books in 2008. It has been one of the top 10 most frequently challenged books in the us since 2011, with objections including that it was antifamily, sexually explicit and unsuitable for age. The organization uses information from the media as well as book challenge reports to create its annual list of the most challenged books. The most frequently challenged books of 2016 complaints about books range from the theme of suicide in thirteen reasons why.
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