Censorship, Banned and Challenged Children's Books

What's the state of censorship, banned, and challenged children's books in the twenty-first century? There have been some changes in the last few years. For example, for several years the Harry Potter series was vigorously challenged. By the 2005 Banned Books Week report, the ALA announced, "This year [2004] marks the first in five in which the Harry Potter series does not top or appear on the ALA's annual list." However, a number of the same books that were challenged in the 1990s continue to be challenged in the 2000s.

The 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2005

According to the American Library Association's Banned Books Week 2006 report, the 10 most frequently challenged books in 2005 were:

1. It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris
2. Forever by Judy Blume
3. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
6. Detour for Emmy by Marilyn Reynolds
7. What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
8. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
9. Crazy Lady! by Jane Leslie Conly
10. It's So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris

According to ALA President Leslie Burger, "Throughout history, there always have been a few people who don’t want information to be freely available. And this is still true. The reason more books aren’t banned is because community residents - with librarians, teachers and journalists - stand up and speak out for their freedom to read." (Banned Books Week 2006)

The Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1900-2000

The top ten books on the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2001 list are:

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.

There are a number of other books by some of these authors, most notably Judy Blume, on the complete list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2001.

Some Other Online Resources

In addition to the excellent resources on the detailed ALA Banned Books Week site, check out the following:
Censorship: Wielding the Red Pen - Through the Eyes of a Child
Jim Trelease on Censorship and Children’s Books
The Censorship of Canadian Children’s Literature

How Do You Feel About Censorship?

How do you feel about censorship of children's books? Should they be censored? If so, who should do it? Join our discussion.