This week, Sept. 24 to Oct.1, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the ALA Banned Book Week. BBW celebrates authors who broke convention to write books about touchy subjects. Here are stats about most oft-censored children and teen authors and literature. Most of these statistics hold true for adult literature as well.
Who censors children's literature?
Typically, school libraries, parents organizations, churches, religious groups, PTAs and school boards are the first line of attack against books. The American Library Association compiles data about challenged books and these groups show up most frequently as opponents of a particular work.
What is the most common reason that children's books are banned?
"Sexually explicit content," cited 3,169 times, is the most frequent criticism of a work. Second, is "offensive language," followed by "violence" and "unsuited to age group." Curiously, topics of suicide and anti-ethnic nature are far less commonly-cited offenses, along with inaccuracy of content.
What books and authors are most banned?
John Steinbeck and J.D. Salinger earn most flak for their work. At least one Steinbeck novel is seemingly required in almost every American Literature class nationwide. Yet, Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men" have been banned countless times. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye" continues to be required reading, despite frequent criticism.
For propensity to be challenged, Radcliffe lists George Orwell ("1984," "Animal Farm") ranks high. Orwell managed to get two of his six novels banned. Anarchist content is the primary concern. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote five novels, one of which, "The Great Gatsby" takes top honors for "most frequently challenged classic." Harper Lee ("To Kill a Mockingbird"), Alice Walker ("The Color Purple"), James Joyce ("Ulysses"), Toni Morrison ("Beloved") and Sir William Golding ("Lord of the Flies") also nab most-banned status. Can anyone imagine a high school English class without these works?
Who are the most-censored children's authors in the last decade?
J.K. Rowling, for her seven-book "Harry Potter" series tops the list. Witchcraft is the issue in question. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, better known for her "Shiloh" series, comes in second for the "Alice" books. The books are criticized for their coming-of-age content.
Is sexuality still a common objection to books?
Yes. Naylor's books are reminiscent of Judy Blume's puberty-themed books of the 1970s. Blume is another frequently-censored author. Some of Blume's books were written for adolescents, though more often read by what we now call tweens (children ages 8-12). Though less well-known now, few girls my age had not read "Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret," "Then Again Maybe I Won't" and "Forever."
Robert Corimer's "The Chocolate War" is still the third most commonly banned children's book decades later. It's an honest portrayal of coming-of-age issues in a boys' preparatory school.
What about censorship gay issues in children's books?
The most commonly censored individual title is "And Tango Makes Three," by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson. It's the true story about two male penguins, Roy and Silo , dubbed "gay penguins," who raise a chick together in New York's Central Park Zoo. The book deals with same-sex marriage and adoption and homosexuality in animals.
Does banning books protect children?
No. As a parent and teacher, I've found that placing a book under censorship, causes most kids to search it out and read it. Banning is great advertisement for kids and especially adolescents.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 23 years parenting four children and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult education and homeschool. Her children read all of the books on the banned list.
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