Banned in Boston
Kim
How many have you read??
Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
Men?" Really?
1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
2. Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
3. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
4. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
7. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
9. ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Myracle, Lauren
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
11. Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers
12. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
15. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
16. Forever, by Judy Blume
17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
18. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
20. King and King, by Linda de Haan
21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
22. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
23. The Giver, by Lois Lowry
24. In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
25. Killing Mr. Griffen, by Lois Duncan
26. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
27. My Brother Sam Is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier
28. Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
29. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
30. We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier
31. What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones
32. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
33. Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson
34. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
35. Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, by Louise Rennison
36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
37. It’s So Amazing, by Robie Harris
38. Arming America, by Michael Bellasiles
39. Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane
40. Life is Funny, by E.R. Frank
41. Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher
42. The Fighting Ground, by Avi
43. Blubber, by Judy Blume
44. Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher
45. Crazy Lady, by Jane Leslie Conly
46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
47. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, by George Beard
48. Rainbow Boys, by Alex Sanchez
49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
50. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
51. Daughters of Eve, by Lois Duncan
52. The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson
53. You Hear Me?, by Betsy Franco
54. The Facts Speak for Themselves, by Brock Cole
55. Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Green
56. When Dad Killed Mom, by Julius Lester
57. Blood and Chocolate, by Annette Curtis Klause
58. Fat Kid Rules the World, by K.L. Going
59. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
60. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
61. Draw Me A Star, by Eric Carle
62. The Stupids (series), by Harry Allard
63. The Terrorist, by Caroline B. Cooney
64. Mick Harte Was Here, by Barbara Park
65. The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
66. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor
67. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
68. Always Running, by Luis Rodriguez
69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
70. Harris and Me, by Gary Paulsen
71. Junie B. Jones (series), by Barbara Park
72. Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
73. What’s Happening to My Body Book, by Lynda Madaras
74. The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold
75. Anastasia (series), by Lois Lowry
76. A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
77. Crazy: A Novel, by Benjamin Lebert
78. The Joy of Gay Sex, by Dr. Charles Silverstein
79. The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss
80. A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck
81. Black Boy, by Richard Wright
82. Deal With It!, by Esther Drill
83. Detour for Emmy, by Marilyn Reynolds
84. So Far From the Bamboo Grove, by Yoko Watkins
85. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher
86. Cut, by Patricia McCormick
87. Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume
88. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
89. Friday Night Lights, by H.G. Bissenger
90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
91. Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George
92. The Boy Who Lost His Face, by Louis Sachar
93. Bumps in the Night, by Harry Allard
94. Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine
95. Shade’s Children, by Garth Nix
96. Grendel, by John Gardner
97. The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
98. I Saw Esau, by Iona Opte
99. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
100. America: A Novel, by E.R. Frank
--
Kim
*Every kid does not deserve a trophy. Winners deserve trophies and
losers deserve degradation.*
Snidely
wrote:
> Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> Men?" Really?
Sex outside of marriage?
/dps
Veronique
>
> How many have you read??
>
> Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> Men?" Really?
My guess is A) Sexuality, B) Violence, C) Scatological/"Poor Taste",
D) Social/Religious
>
> 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
> 3. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
> 5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
> 6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
> 14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
> 16. Forever, by Judy Blume
> 17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
> 18. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
> 19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
> 21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
> 23. The Giver, by Lois Lowry
> 24. In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
> 25. Killing Mr. Griffen, by Lois Duncan
> 28. Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
> 33. Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson
> 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
> 43. Blubber, by Judy Blume
> 46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
> 49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
> 50. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
> 55. Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Green
> 66. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor
> 67. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
> 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
> 74. The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold
> 79. The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss
> 80. A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck
> 88. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
> 89. Friday Night Lights, by H.G. Bissenger
> 90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
> 91. Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George
> 96. Grendel, by John Gardner
> 97. The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
> 99. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
(Of course, the saddest part for me is I can remember having read
them, but I cannot remember much beyond that.)
V.
--
Veronique Chez Sheep
Snidely
> On Sep 29, 12:54 pm, Kim <darwinexceptiontakethis...@verizon.net>
> wrote:
>
> > Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
> > How many have you read??
>
> > Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> > because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> > Men?" Really?
>
> My guess is A) Sexuality, B) Violence, C) Scatological/"Poor Taste",
> D) Social/Religious
Harry Potter was probably religion-related, but I'm surprised
something so recent got on the list ... I'd have expected the '90s to
have killed bans in a place as big as Boston.
[...]
> (Of course, the saddest part for me is I can remember having read
> them, but I cannot remember much beyond that.)
> > 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
must be the religion argument
> > 5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
> > 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
> > 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
advocating revolution
> > 90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
must be the religion argument
I think I've read parts of this one in its bound edition, and not just
in quotes in other books (I've made it through most of Tom Sawyer,
too):
> > 14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
/dps
Mark Brader
> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
> How many have you read??
Read 4 (on one case only because it was required in school), saw the
movie adaptations of 4 others.
--
Mark Brader "There are three rules for writing the novel.
Toronto Unfortunately no one knows what they are."
m...@vex.net -- Maugham
Les Albert
<darwinexcepti...@verizon.net> wrote:
>Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>How many have you read??
>Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
>because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
>Men?" Really?
> ....
Steinbeck's political views, and his portrayal of capitalism vs the
plight of workers led to a backlash against him. He was considered a
communist by many. "Of Mice and Men" was banned because of offensive
and vulgar language; profanity; racism; sexism; promoting euthanasia
and being anti-business. I remember the librarian at the U.S. army
post that I was stationed at in the 1950s telling me that she could
not order any Steinbeck books using the government funds.
Les
Nasti J
>
> How many have you read??
>
> Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> Men?" Really?
>
Of Mice and Men
2008
Challenged at the Newton (IA) High School because of concerns about
profanity and the portrayal of Jesus Christ. Newton High School has
required students to read the book since at leas the early 1980's.
Retained in the Olathe (KS) 9th-grade curriculum despite a parent
calling the novel a "worthless, profanity-riddled book" which is
"derogatory towards African Americans, women, and the developmentally
disabled."
2007
Retained in the Greencastle-Antrim (PA) tenth-grade English classes. A
complaint was filed because of "racial slurs" and profanity used
throughout the novel. The book had been used in the high school for
more than thirty years, and those who object to its content have the
option of reading an alternative reading.
2005
Challenged in the Normal (IL) Community High Schools because the book
contains "racial slurs, profanity, violence and does not represent
traditional values". An alternative book, Steinbeck's The Pearl was
offered but rejected by the family challenging the novel. The
committee then recommended The House on Mango Street and The Way to
Rainy Mountain as alternatives.
2004
Challenged in the Normal (IL) Community High Schools because the book
contains "racial slurs, profanity, violence and does not represent
traditional values".
2003
Challenged as required reading at Grandville (MI) high school for
"racism, profanity and foul language". Banned in George County (MS)
schools for profanity.
2002
Banned for using offensive language, racism, violence, and being
unsuited to age group
2001
Banned for using offensive language, racism, violence, and being
unsuited to age group
art...@yahoo.com
> >Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
> >How many have you read??
> >Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> >because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> >Men?" Really?
> > ....
>
> Steinbeck's political views, and his portrayal of capitalism vs the
> plight of workers led to a backlash against him.
Yeah, but The Grapes of Wrath is not on this list
He was considered a
> communist by many. "Of Mice and Men" was banned because of offensive
> and vulgar language; profanity; racism; sexism; promoting euthanasia
> and being anti-business. I remember the librarian at the U.S. army
> post that I was stationed at in the 1950s telling me that she could
> not order any Steinbeck books using the government funds.
I would imagine someone might want to ban "The Cold Six Thousand" By
James Ellroy if they could bothered to pick up and read that hefty
tome.
Mac
<snide...@gmail.com> wrote:
>On Sep 29, 1:40 pm, Veronique <veroniqueuni...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sep 29, 12:54 pm, Kim <darwinexceptiontakethis...@verizon.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>>
>> > How many have you read??
>>
>> > Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
>> > because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
>> > Men?" Really?
>>
>> My guess is A) Sexuality, B) Violence, C) Scatological/"Poor Taste",
>> D) Social/Religious
>[...]
>
>Harry Potter was probably religion-related, but I'm surprised
>something so recent got on the list ... I'd have expected the '90s to
>have killed bans in a place as big as Boston.
That's because the "in Boston" was added by someone who thought it
sounded nice.
As far as I can tell, the number of those 100 books banned in Boston
was exactly zero. Most of them are well past the Watch and Ward's
era, and the only older one that struck my eye was not merely not
banned there, it was published either there or in Comstock's New York.
Beyond that, back in the day when they meant something, the Watch and
Ward didn't have the godlike powers many attribute to it. Mostly,
"banned" meant that a book wasn't advertised or reviewed in the major
newspapers, and wasn't sold by a loose coalition of major Boston
booksellers, and wasn't available at the BPL without asking for it in
person. You had to work to get something "banned" in the sense that
selling it would involve the cops. Mencken did that, and the charges
were promptly dismissed.
Next, Boston is only a small part of the Boston Metropolitan area, and
the W & W had little influence in many other cities. Notice that
"Banned in Cambridge" never became a catchphrase; that's not just
because of the lack of alliteration.
D.F. Manno
Kim <darwinexcepti...@verizon.net> wrote:
> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
> How many have you read??
Only nine:
> 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
> 14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
> 19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
> 21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
> 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
> 46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
> 49. One Flew Over the Cuckooąs Nest, by Ken Kesey
> 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
> 88. The Handmaidąs Tale, by Margaret Atwood
I'm disappointed - I thought I would have read more banned books.
> Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> Men?" Really?
My guess: the killing of Lennie.
--
D.F. Manno
dfm...@mail.com
"My education was dismal. I went to a series of schools for mentally
disturbed teachers." (Woody Allen)
Xho Jingleheimerschmidt
> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
Banned/Challenged as one category is kind of like "Decapitated and/or
stubbed his toe"
> How many have you read??
Not many. At least not that I can recall, I may have forgotten some.
> Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> Men?" Really?
Didn't that have profanity and sex?
> 8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
read.
> 9. ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Myracle, Lauren
Not read, that I know of. You should see a doctor about that
> 14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
read
> 16. Forever, by Judy Blume
Read some of her books, don't recall specifically that one.
> 19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
did not finish
> 21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
> 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
read
> 46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
> 67. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
Read something by those guys, don't recall specifically.
> 49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
Read the screen-play version.
> 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
Read
Xho
Mary
I've only read 27 of them. Time to get to reading, I guess.
Mary
Tom S
<snide...@gmail.com> wrote:
>On Sep 29, 1:40 pm, Veronique <veroniqueuni...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sep 29, 12:54 pm, Kim <darwinexceptiontakethis...@verizon.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>>
>> > How many have you read??
>>
>> > Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
>> > because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
>> > Men?" Really?
>>
>> My guess is A) Sexuality, B) Violence, C) Scatological/"Poor Taste",
>> D) Social/Religious
>[...]
>
>Harry Potter was probably religion-related, but I'm surprised
>something so recent got on the list ... I'd have expected the '90s to
>have killed bans in a place as big as Boston.
>
>[...]
>> (Of course, the saddest part for me is I can remember having read
>> them, but I cannot remember much beyond that.)
>
>
>> > 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
> must be the religion argument
Sort of.... It's the magic. Banning is demanded by the same people
who can't figure out how to change the channel on the TV when a show
they disagree with comes on.
>> > 5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
>> > 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
Drug use and free sex.
<snip>
Tom S.
Bob
I always get those mixed up -- which is easy, because I've never read
either, nor seen the movies, if they made them of both. But I don't
get them mixed up with that caged bird singing book, which I also
haven't read.
D.F. Manno
Tom S <tsca...@cox.net> wrote:
> Banning is demanded by the same people
> who can't figure out how to change the channel on the TV when a show
> they disagree with comes on.
See, it's not enough that _they_ not watch it; _you_ have to not watch
it too.
Bill Turlock
>
> On Sep 29, 1:40 pm, Veronique <veroniqueuni...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > On Sep 29, 12:54 pm, Kim <darwinexceptiontakethis...@verizon.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
> >
> > > How many have you read??
> >
> > > Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> > > because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> > > Men?" Really?
> >
> > My guess is A) Sexuality, B) Violence, C) Scatological/"Poor Taste",
> > D) Social/Religious
> [...]
>
> Harry Potter was probably religion-related, but I'm surprised
> something so recent got on the list ... I'd have expected the '90s to
> have killed bans in a place as big as Boston.
>
> [...]
> > (Of course, the saddest part for me is I can remember having read
> > them, but I cannot remember much beyond that.)
>
> > > 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
> must be the religion argument
> > > 5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
> > > 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
> > > 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
> advocating revolution
can you say "irony"?
> > > 90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L脱ngle
Snidely
wrote:
> Snidely wrote:
> > > > 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
> > advocating revolution
>
> can you say "irony"?
Well, sure, but irony isn't often grounds for banning.
/dps
art...@yahoo.com
> Sort of.... It's the magic. Banning is demanded by the same people
> who can't figure out how to change the channel on the TV when a show
> they disagree with comes on.
Can they figure out how not to Tivo it?
Charles Wm. Dimmick
> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
> How many have you read??
> 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
> 14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
> 21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
> 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
> 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
> 90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
Can't read everything.
Thousands of other books I have read, that aren't on the list.
Charles
Lesmond
>Kim wrote:
>> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
>Banned/Challenged as one category is kind of like "Decapitated and/or
>stubbed his toe"
>
>> How many have you read??
>
>Not many. At least not that I can recall, I may have forgotten some.
>
>> Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
>> because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
>> Men?" Really?
>
>Didn't that have profanity and sex?
>
>> 8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
>
>read.
>
>> 9. ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Myracle, Lauren
>
>Not read, that I know of. You should see a doctor about that
Teachers in particular despise this book. I just read an article about it.
--
If there's a nuclear winter, at least it'll snow.
Lesmond
>Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
>How many have you read??
A bunch. I didn't bother counting.
>
>Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
>because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
>Men?" Really?
Yeah, I have bigger questions (about the kids' books, mostly):
>13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
Uh...I guess the toilet humor is crude, but the kids love it.
>23. The Giver, by Lois Lowry
I can't figure this one out for the life of me. I mean, unless the entire
idea of questioning government is something no one should ever do.
>34. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
I have never heard of this, but I love the title.
>71. Junie B. Jones (series), by Barbara Park
What? I can't even imagine. My boy and I would read these together when he
was in kindergarten and first grade. Is there A Junie B. Jones porno out
there I don't know about? I'd prefer that they'd ban the series with the
girl protagonist with the 12 syllable name. Man, I hated having to read
those books aloud, since her name was in every single sentence.
>80. A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck
This one is a good choice. It should be banned. No child should ever be
subjected to this.
And why aren't the Twilight books on this list? If anything should be
banned...
Charles Wm. Dimmick
> In article<i805ie$qfi$1...@news.eternal-september.org>,
> Kim<darwinexcepti...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>>
>> How many have you read??
>
> Only nine:
>
>> 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
>> 14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
>> 19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
>> 21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
>> 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
>> 46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
>> 49. One Flew Over the Cuckooąs Nest, by Ken Kesey
>> 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
>> 88. The Handmaidąs Tale, by Margaret Atwood
>
> I'm disappointed - I thought I would have read more banned books.
Off the top of my head, some that were banned at various times and
places that I have read are:
Tropic of Cancer, by Henry Miller
Jurgen, by James Branch Cabell
The Great Gatsby, by Fitzgerald
1984, by George Orwell
Lolita, Vladmir Nabokov
Catch-22, Joseph Heller
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway
A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway
Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison
Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway
Charles
Richard R. Hershberger
Quite apart from the "Boston" part, which I assume Kim added as an
alliterative flourish, I wonder how many of these were actually
banned. I don't know about this list in particular, but a lot of the
time with these lists, further examination shows that the "banning"
consisted of a library somewhere making a decision to not buy a book.
Often the decision was made for silly reasons, and often there was a
discussion about the decision because a library employee wanted to buy
the book. But still, this is pretty weak tea.
Richard R. Hershberger
N Jill Marsh
>Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
I bet not one of them were banned. Lots of books are challenged or
complained about, for all sorts of silly reasons, generally stemming
from religious, moral or aesthetic starting points. I've read a lot
of them, of course, so if you have any questions about a particular
book I've listed below, fire away.
Just keep in mind that *any* book that is in a school library or on a
curriculum for any school age level that has any reference to religion
(or no religion at all), any profanity, any portrayal of angst, any
portrayal of ambiguous moral behaviour, any mention of sex, puberty or
childbirth, any non-heterosexual orientation, any bullying not
immediately addressed by an adult, any occult or supernatural
phenomena, any Jews, any Muslims, any pagans, any atheists, any nudity
of any age, any death, any killing, any lying or other dishonesty by a
major character, any defiance of authority, any corruption of abuse of
authority, any rule-breaking, any toilet humour, any black humour, any
kissing or other sexual activity by minors, any alternative prose or
poetry style, any plot that is depicted graphically rather than
textually as well as several other things is going to be complained
about and quite possibly challenged by some parent or group somewhere.
Also, some librarian, teacher, school administration or district is
going to cave and decide to not carry or teach the book. That's not
banning, although it gets called that by certain people. And some of
those people who decide not to carry a book would really rather fight
for the book, but if those above them don't support that action, their
hands are pretty much tied. I had a number of librarians as clients
who were either very liberal or very conservative (either personally
or through bitter experience) when it came to choosing books, and it
was quite unpredictable just looking at what school they worked at.
The librarian with the most freedom worked at a religious school, and
the one with the least at a large public high school that mostly
served a white middle class educated demographic, but had a principal
without principles and a small but very very vocal and aggressive
"long skirt brigade".
>1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
>2. Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
>3. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
>4. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
>5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
>6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
>7. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
I've only read a couple of the Schwartz.
>8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
>9. ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Myracle, Lauren
Only the first one.
>12. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
I love this book.
>13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
My "Hooray for Captain Underpants" shopping bag is used weekly.
>14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
>15. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
>16. Forever, by Judy Blume
>17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
>18. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
>19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
>20. King and King, by Linda de Haan
I haven't read this, but it's a Prince finds his handsome Prince
story.
>21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
>22. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Only parts of the first one, I hated it.
>23. The Giver, by Lois Lowry
>24. In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
>26. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
>27. My Brother Sam Is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier
>28. Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
>29. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
>30. We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier
I've not read this one but others by Cormier, so I can guess that it's
a pretty depressing adolescent thriller involving bad behaviour by all
characters.
>33. Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson
>34. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
>35. Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, by Louise Rennison
>36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
>37. It’s So Amazing, by Robie Harris
I love this book as well.
>43. Blubber, by Judy Blume
>46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
>47. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, by George Beard
>49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
>50. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
>51. Daughters of Eve, by Lois Duncan
I've read other Duncan.
>52. The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson
>55. Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Green
>59. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
>60. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
>61. Draw Me A Star, by Eric Carle
>62. The Stupids (series), by Harry Allard
Only the first one, it got old fast.
>63. The Terrorist, by Caroline B. Cooney
Not this one, but lots of other Cooney.
>66. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor
>67. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
>69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
>70. Harris and Me, by Gary Paulsen
>71. Junie B. Jones (series), by Barbara Park
Not all of them, but a good chunk.
>73. What’s Happening to My Body Book, by Lynda Madaras
>74. The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold
>75. Anastasia (series), by Lois Lowry
>76. A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
>79. The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss
>80. A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck
>81. Black Boy, by Richard Wright
>86. Cut, by Patricia McCormick
>87. Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume
>88. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
>90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
>91. Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George
>92. The Boy Who Lost His Face, by Louis Sachar
>94. Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine
Some of them, which means all of them.
>95. Shade’s Children, by Garth Nix
Lots of other Nix.
>96. Grendel, by John Gardner
>97. The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
>99. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
nj"none are surprising"m
--
"His eyes were of the blue of the forget-me-not, and of a profound melancholy..."
Opus the Penguin
> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
> How many have you read??
>
> Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned
> - because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice
> and Men?" Really?
>
You've had answers on Of Mice and Men. What are the other one you
can't figure out.
Here are the ones I've read or otherwise have comments on.
> 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
Banned because of the disappointing final book, obviously.
> 5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
I barely recall this book. I'll probably read it again this year
because The Girl's English class is assigning it.
> 8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
Banned because Pullman has no idea how to develop a story so he just
keeps pulling out ideas that he thinks are neat and mashing them in
any old way. Starts out brilliantly and then just falls apart. Never
again.
> 13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
My nephews have these. They're pretty funny. I think they involve
fart jokes.
> 14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
Perennial favorite on these sorts of lists because of frequent use of
term "nigger". Some people just don't notice that Twain isn't writing
in *favor* of racial prejudice.
> 19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
The profanity that gets used is somewhat tame by todays standards,
but it is unrelenting. You can't find a page without it. Also,
there's that prostitute story.
> 21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Just read this a few months ago. I don't understand why anyone,
particularly Bostonians, would ban it.
> 24. In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
The drawings depict at least one little boy with a visible willie.
> 29. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
Never read it. Mrs P has. If I remember, I'll ask.
> 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
Casual sex.
> 46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
I've started this at least 3 times. Always get sidetracked.
> 49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
I don't recall the book well enough. Probably sexual situations.
> 59. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
Started this in a bookstore once. Seemed pretty good.
> 65. The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
The Boy read this for one of his high school classes.
> 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
Obviously included for the irony value.
> 76. A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
Awesome book. But it would take quite a while to get through it in a
high school English class. No sex scenes per se, but there's talk of
sex and boners and condoms. And there's underage sex and sex outside
of marriage. Also, the narrator's and/or the title character's view
of God may not be palatable to some.
> 90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
I'm not sure why it would be banned in Boston. The book does imply
that Jesus was just another good teacher like Buddha or Einstein.
> 99. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
Adolescent girl questions the existence of God and pads her bra.
Looks like I score 14.
--
Opus the Penguin
The best darn penguin in all of Usenet
Les Albert
<opusthepen...@gmail.com> wrote:
> ....
>> 46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
>I've started this at least 3 times. Always get sidetracked.
Rent the movie. It's a very good film.
Les
Dover Beach
news:Xns9E0375BE69026op...@127.0.0.1:
>> 13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
>
> My nephews have these. They're pretty funny. I think they involve
> fart jokes.
The WSJ had the world's stuffiest editorial about "why boys don't read".
The author deplored Captain Underpants and other "vulgar" stories.
Just made me want to go see what this Captain Underpants series is all
about.
--
Dover
Paul Madarasz
>On Sep 29, 1:40 pm, Veronique <veroniqueuni...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sep 29, 12:54 pm, Kim <darwinexceptiontakethis...@verizon.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>>
>> > How many have you read??
>>
>> > Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
>> > because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
>> > Men?" Really?
>>
>> My guess is A) Sexuality, B) Violence, C) Scatological/"Poor Taste",
>> D) Social/Religious
>[...]
>
>Harry Potter was probably religion-related, but I'm surprised
>something so recent got on the list ... I'd have expected the '90s to
>have killed bans in a place as big as Boston.
"She was banned in Boston, Condemned in Cleveland,
and Banished from Baltimore.
She's now taboo in Philly and St. Lou,
and Chicago doesn't want her any more."
Charles Wm. Dimmick
> "She was banned in Boston, Condemned in Cleveland,
> and Banished from Baltimore.
> She's now taboo in Philly and St. Lou,
> and Chicago doesn't want her any more."
You started an earworm of sorts:
"Now Jacob Kaime was the Hermit's name
In the days of his pious youth,
Ere he cast a smirch on the Baptist Church
By betraying a girl named Ruth."
Peter Ward
>
> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
> How many have you read??
> 1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
Read first one, started second one, decided I had better things to read.
> 5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
Started it, decided I had better things to read.
> 8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
I did reach the end of the third book, although I was beginning by then
to think I had better things to read. The first two books were fine.
> 14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
> 36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
> 46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
> 69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
I put the fact that any one of the list was banned down to the fact that
some people are idiots.
--
Peter, from outside the asylum
I'm an alien
email: usenet at peterward dot adsl24 dot co dot uk
http://blowinsmoke.wordpress.com/
First, you postulate a theory, and then you adjust the data to fit the
curve.
- Huey Callison explains basic economics.
Paul Madarasz
wrote:
>"She was banned in Boston, Condemned in Cleveland,
> and Banished from Baltimore.
> She's now taboo in Philly and St. Lou,
> and Chicago doesn't want her any more."
Of course, it's "Chicago doesn't *dig* her anymore
Tom S
No. They don't want to watch it, so no one should want to watch it.
My ex-wife had a similar attitude about some things.. If you weren't
doing it her way, then you were doing it the wrong way. Because her
way was the right way, because that is the way she did it (or would do
it if she were doing it).
Fortunately, her attitude did not extend to things like books and TV
shows. One of the things we agree on is personal responsibility.
Tom S.
Greg Goss
>Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
>How many have you read??
Y>1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
?>2. Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
?>3. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
?>4. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Y>5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
?>6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
?>7. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
N>8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
?>9. ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Myracle, Lauren
?>10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
?>11. Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers
?>12. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
?>13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
>14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
Sigh. How can I claim to be civilized while never having read either
that book and it's sequel / predecessor (I forget which follows
which).
?>15. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
?>16. Forever, by Judy Blume
N>17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Y>18. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
N>19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
?>20. King and King, by Linda de Haan
N>21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
?>22. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
?>23. The Giver, by Lois Lowry
?>24. In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
?>25. Killing Mr. Griffen, by Lois Duncan
?>26. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
?>27. My Brother Sam Is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier
movie >28. Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
?>29. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
?>30. We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier
?>31. What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones
?>32. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
?>33. Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson
?>34. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn
Mackler
?>35. Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, by Louise Rennison
Y>36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
?>37. It’s So Amazing, by Robie Harris
?>38. Arming America, by Michael Bellasiles
?>39. Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane
?>40. Life is Funny, by E.R. Frank
?>41. Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher
?>42. The Fighting Ground, by Avi
?>43. Blubber, by Judy Blume
?>44. Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher
?>45. Crazy Lady, by Jane Leslie Conly
Y>46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
But don't remember a thing.
?>47. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, by George Beard
?>48. Rainbow Boys, by Alex Sanchez
N>49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
?>50. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
?>51. Daughters of Eve, by Lois Duncan
?>52. The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson
?>53. You Hear Me?, by Betsy Franco
?>54. The Facts Speak for Themselves, by Brock Cole
?>55. Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Green
?>56. When Dad Killed Mom, by Julius Lester
Is that anything like the Garth Brooks song - Momma killed Poppa
?>57. Blood and Chocolate, by Annette Curtis Klause
?>58. Fat Kid Rules the World, by K.L. Going
?>59. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
?>60. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
?>61. Draw Me A Star, by Eric Carle
?>62. The Stupids (series), by Harry Allard
?>63. The Terrorist, by Caroline B. Cooney
?>64. Mick Harte Was Here, by Barbara Park
?>65. The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
?>66. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor
Y>67. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
?>68. Always Running, by Luis Rodriguez
Y>69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
?>70. Harris and Me, by Gary Paulsen
?>71. Junie B. Jones (series), by Barbara Park
?>72. Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
Y>73. What’s Happening to My Body Book, by Lynda Madaras
?>74. The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold
?>75. Anastasia (series), by Lois Lowry
N>76. A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
?>77. Crazy: A Novel, by Benjamin Lebert
?>78. The Joy of Gay Sex, by Dr. Charles Silverstein
?>79. The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss
?>80. A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck
?>81. Black Boy, by Richard Wright
?>82. Deal With It!, by Esther Drill
?>83. Detour for Emmy, by Marilyn Reynolds
?>84. So Far From the Bamboo Grove, by Yoko Watkins
?>85. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher
?>86. Cut, by Patricia McCormick
?>87. Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume
Y>88. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
?>89. Friday Night Lights, by H.G. Bissenger
Y>90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
(and sequels)
?>91. Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George
?>92. The Boy Who Lost His Face, by Louis Sachar
?>93. Bumps in the Night, by Harry Allard
N>94. Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine
?>95. Shade’s Children, by Garth Nix
?>96. Grendel, by John Gardner
?>97. The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
?>98. I Saw Esau, by Iona Opte
N>99. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
?>100. America: A Novel, by E.R. Frank
The vast majority I've never heard of.
--
Tomorrow is today already.
Greg Goss, 1989-01-27
Robert Crowe
On Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:54:47 -0400, the alleged Kim, may have posted the
following, to alt.fan.cecil-adams:
>Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
>How many have you read??
>
>Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
>because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
>Men?" Really?
>1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
Witchcraft and drug use.
>14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
Racial epithets.
>18. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
Sexual content and drug use.
>19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
Sexual content and profanity.
>21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Racial stereotypes, sexual content and profanity.
>36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
Sexual content and drug use.
>46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
Sexual content and profanity.
>49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
Encourages rebellion and lack of respect for authority?
>67. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
Sexual content, violence and racial stereotypes.
>69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
Profanity.
>90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
Witchcraft.
Hmm… only 11%. I guess I need to read more. However I'm wondering why
_The Handmaid's Tale_, by Margaret Atwood didn't make the list.
Regards,
Rob "Underachiever" Crowe
--
One Bourbon, one Scotch and one beer!
Opus the Penguin
> Hmm. only 11%. I guess I need to read more. However I'm wondering why
> _The Handmaid's Tale_, by Margaret Atwood didn't make the list.
Because you have skip vision? It was number 88.
Robert Crowe
On Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:28:04 +0000 (UTC), the alleged Opus the Penguin,
may have posted the following, to alt.fan.cecil-adams:
>Robert Crowe (ebop...@vtybh.pbz) wrote:
>
>> Hmm. only 11%. I guess I need to read more. However I'm wondering why
>> _The Handmaid's Tale_, by Margaret Atwood didn't make the list.
>
>Because you have skip vision? It was number 88.
Doh! Make that 12% for me.
Regards,
Rob "Not a careful reader" Crowe
--
…you're reminded to enjoy every sandwich.
-- Warren Zevon
()
wrote:
> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
> How many have you read??
>
> Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
> because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
> Men?" Really?
Where were they banned, by whom? It does not take much for something
to be banned in Saudi Arabia, Iran or North Korea.
Bill Kinkaid
<darwinexcepti...@verizon.net> wrote:
>Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
>How many have you read??
>
>Anyone want to offer explanations on why some of these were banned -
>because many of them I can't figure out the reasoning. "Of Mice and
>Men?" Really?
>
>1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
Read 1-4 and seen the movies
>13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
Read some of my nephew's copies.
Also read 14, 46, 69 and 88.
Seen the movies of the above plus 18 (may have read it in high school
too but don't recall.
My wife has read 33 and seen the movie. Much of it was filmed in the
southern interior BC town where my inlaws live. Is writing about
Japanese-American WWI internment camps a bad thing to the book
banners?
--
Bill in Vancouver
Greg Goss
Jesper Lauridsen
> Kim wrote:
>> Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009
>
> stubbed his toe"
But if you restricted yourself to "banned", it would a much shorter list.
Mac
"List of Zero Bannned Books" doesn't make a very compelling library
promotion, though.