Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009

Pardon me while I climb on my soapbox again. This week, the American Library Association announced the titles of the ten books that were most frequently challenged and/or banned in 2009. I really hate to hear that people are still challenging intellectual freedom.

We have the freedom to express ideas and to gain access to information. It doesn’t matter if the information is unconventional or controversial. I agree that not every book is right for every reader, but I do NOT agree that books or audiobooks should then be banned from schools or libraries for all.

Kids Make There Own Choices

As a parent, I see it as my job to decide if my child is ready to read certain books. I have open communication and am active in their book selection process at the library and at bookstores. When my children moved to the YA section, I let them make their own choices. If they chose a book with a subject that I thought might be emotionally taxing, I read it with them and we talked about it. These talks have really benefitted our relationship. My kids know that they can come to me to discuss anything.

To Kill a Mockingbird

One of the most often challenged titles happens to be my favorite book of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird. The reasons for its placement on the list? Racism, offensive language, and unsuited to age group. Anybody else getting a little angry now? Yes, racism is at the heart of this novel. The language is part of that.

The message, however is that racism is WRONG. This wonderful book. It is told through the eyes of a child. My kids and I have spent hours discussing it. The Twilight series is also on the list. I am not a fan of sparkly vampires, but are they really that objectionable? Their offenses: sexually explicit, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group. Seriously? I think these are pretty harmless.

“I feel Picoult copped out”

How about My Sister’s Keeper?

This has tons of objections linked to it: sexism, homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language, religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group, and violence. This is a story about a child whose purpose in life is to be an organ donor for her sick sister. I liked the book, up until the end (I feel Picoult copped out) but it raised some really great issues.

The Remaining Challenged Titles

The rest of the titles that were challenged include: ttyl, And Tango Makes Three,
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Catcher in the Rye, The Earth My Butt and Other Big Round Things, The Color Purple, and The Chocolate War.

I agree that some of these are not elementary level books, but middle and high school kids? Instead of banning books, why not educate parents on the benefits of keeping open lines of communication with children? Promote book discussion as a way of talking about some of the more difficult subjects…

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Tagged as: My Sister’s Keeper, The Twilight series, to kill a mockingbird