We may be a nation based on free speech, but such controversial subjects are enough for some people to try to get books banned from public schools and libraries–so you and your children can’t read them.
Each year the American Library Association releases a list of the top 10 books that generated the most controversy, naming them the most “challenged” books in public schools and libraries.
A challenge is defined as “a formal, written complaint filed with a library or school requesting that a book or other material be restricted or removed because of its content or appropriateness.”
The most challenged book last year was the bestseller “Looking for Alaska,” by John Green. It tells the story of Miles “Pudge” Halter, who lives a safe life that he thinks of as one big non-event. Then he goes to the Culver Creek Boarding School. His life becomes the opposite of safe when he meets Alaska Young, who is clever, gorgeous, sexy, self-destructive and screwed-up. Now that Pudge has met her, nothing is ever the same.
“Looking for Alaska,” which has won numerous awards, was challenged more than any other book in 2015, citied for its offensive language, sexually explicit story line and being unsuited for the recommended age group, which is grade 9 and up.
The top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2015 and the reasons given for challenging the book:
1. “Looking for Alaska,” by John Green
Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit and unsuited for age group
2. “Fifty Shades of Grey,” by E. L. James
Reasons: Sexually explicit and unsuited for age group
Other reasons: poorly written, concern that teenagers will want to try it
3. “I Am Jazz,” by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
Reasons: Inaccurate, homosexuality, sex education, religious viewpoint and unsuited for age group.
4. “Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out,” by Susan Kuklin
Reasons: Anti-family, offensive language, homosexuality, sex education, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint and unsuited for age group
5. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” by Mark Haddon
Reasons: Offensive language, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group
Other reasons: Profanity and atheism
6. The Holy Bible
Reasons: Religious viewpoint
7. “Fun Home,” by Alison Bechdel
Reasons: Violence
Other reasons: Graphic images
8. Habibi, by Craig Thompson
Reasons: Nudity, sexually explicit and unsuited for age group
9. “Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan,” by Jeanette Winter
Reasons: Religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group and violence
10. “Two Boys Kissing,” by David Levithan
Reasons: Homosexuality
Other reasons: Condones public displays of affection
–From the Editors at Netscape
