how do they decide what books to ban?

Question

Some books I understand that they are controvertial but some I just don't get. Sex by Madonna - I get. A Wrinkle in TIme by Madeline Lengle - I don't get. Here is a list of books that were banned in the 90's. I just don't get a lot of them. Flowers for Algernon? James and the Giant Peach? just wondering how they decide.

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm

Answer 1

I know that sometimes parents invade the school board meetings when discussion about book being allowed into schools goes public...often times it is ignorant parents who themselves do not read who are up in arms over some books...not just people who have been labled "bible thumpers"...

I can also understand why Madonna's book is banned, kids don't need to see sexual images...but those others are excellent stories which I read in school or in college...

I think people who ban books should themselves be banned until they read said books and write a detailed analysis of each book to prove their point...then they might think twice about wanting to ban the books....

Just my opinion....

Answer 2

It's the busy-body mommies than haven't actually read the whole book through and pressure the school boards.

James and the Giant Peach- we assumed it was becuase of the child abuse.

A Wrinkle in Time- Almost no classic science fiction book isn't on that list

Now, what about "King & King," which is a twist on the classic fairy tale and two males fall in love and get married? Why should that be on the banned book list/controversial book list when same sex marriage is legal in certain parts of this country? Doesn't teaching children about thier world and country include same-sex marriage?

Anyhow...don't even get me started on censorship. Especially when most people complaining about the books haven't even read them.

Answer 3

Books arent generally banned from being sold just banned from public and school libraries. the community generally decides what they deem inappropraite and hopefully the school boards in the area and the local librarians rarely if ever ban the books from thier library.

Books are requested to be banned because someone finds them to be objectionable for some reason. Huckleberry Finn and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer are often requested to be banned because they contain the N word. What people often fail to understand (many times because they dont read the books before they condem them) is that those books spoke out against Racism.

The same goes for Harry Potter to pick a more modern example. It is the most banned book this year, because many people believe it promotes witch craft and devil worship because Harry is a wizard. There is a woman in some state (Georgia I think) that has been trying (unsuccesfully thank goodness) to get it banned for over a year now saying its evil...She admits however that she has never read the books and doesnt really know what they are about.

Often these book banning requests come out of fear and ignorance. If you dont want to read a book...dont read it, dont impose your value and belief systems on others.

Answer 4

Who is "they?" And where have these books been "banned?"
Anybody who bans books is trying to control the thoughts of others -- history has proven again and again that it's a futile effort. It's also the worst kind of stupidity.
I just got "James and the Giant Peach" for my 10-year old son, I read it when I was a kid (as well as "Wrinkle in Time") -- both were among my favorite books. We're not the Nazis in the 1930's -- no books should be banned in the US.

Answer 5

Books get banned for completely illogical reasons. If a person does not want to read a certain book, or have their kids read a certain book, that is their right to not read it. They do NOT have the right to keep others from reading that book, though. Censorship is just plain wrong.

“James and the Giant Peach” by Ronald Dahl was challenged at the Deep Creek Elementary School in Charlotte Harbor, Florida (1991) because it is “not appropriate reading material for young children.” It was challenged at the Pederson Elementary School in Altoona, Wisconsin (1991) and at the Morton Elementary school library in Brooksville, Florida (1992) because the book contains the word “a s s” and “promotes” the use of drugs and whiskey. Dahl’s book was also removed from classrooms in Stafford County, Virgina schools (1995) and placed in restricted access in the library because the story contains “crude language” and “encourages children to disobey their parents and other adults.”

Answer 6

I don't think there is any rhyme or reason. Just as I don't think the banned books list really means anything. My library carries just about all of the books on the list. They pride themselves on it.


I think that they pick and choose books on the off chance someone MAY POSSIBLY be offended by them. I find it funny that all of Judy Blume's books are on there. I mean, Freckle Juice, come on?

Answer 7

I think they decide whether or not the book has content which is against the country's code of conduct/moral grounds. But i don't know why they would ban "James and the Giant Peach" -- that's plain senseless.

Answer 8

They still do that? Not here... They can't!

Maybe little church groups and nit picky illiterate organizations of church ladies, schools where content may come into play and should, considering and depending on the ages of the children.

and other idiot or fanatic groups. But not the library of congress or libraries in general. I don't think that they can?

And for the girl above me...

Do you really think that a child NEEDS to know, or understand what two gay men or women do in the privacy of their own bedroom? I wouldn't give my kids a copy of the Joy of sex either... Sexual orientation is what makes someone gay, or not. Sex is not for kids in any way shape or form! Get a clue PLEASE!

Answer 9

Any group can ban any book with which they do not agree. There is no definitive list of banned books. That is why you hear about some really ridiculous bans.

Answer 10

According to the American Library Association:

Why are Books Challenged?
Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. The top three reasons, in order, for challenging material are the material is considered to be “sexually explicit” contain “offensive language,” and be “unsuited to age group.”

Who Challenges Books?
Throughout history, more and different kinds of people and groups of all persuasions than you might first suppose, who, for all sorts of reasons, have attempted—and continue to attempt—to suppress anything that conflicts with or anyone who disagrees with their own beliefs. Who are the top challengers? Parents.

What's the Difference between a Challenge and a Banning?
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.

The Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2005:

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 405 challenges last year. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.

The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2005” reflect a range of themes. The books are:

•“It's Perfectly Normal” for homosexuality, nudity, sex education, religious viewpoint, abortion and being unsuited to age group;

•“Forever” by Judy Blume for sexual content and offensive language;

•“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger for sexual content, offensive language and being unsuited to age group;

•“The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier for sexual content and offensive language;

•“Whale Talk” by Chris Crutcher for racism and offensive language;

•“Detour for Emmy” by Marilyn Reynolds for sexual content;

•“What My Mother Doesn't Know” by Sonya Sones for sexual content and being unsuited to age group;

•Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey for anti-family content, being unsuited to age group and violence;

•“Crazy Lady!” by Jane Leslie Conly for offensive language; and

•“It's So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families” by Robie H. Harris for sex education and sexual content.

Off the list this year, but on for several years past, are the Alice series of books by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain.

Top Ten Challenged Authors 1990 to 2004

1. Alvin Schwartz: Scary Stories (Series), Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat

2. Judy Blume: author of Blubber, Forever, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret and Deenie

3. Robert Cormier: author of The Chocolate War and We All Fall Down

4. J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter (Series)

5. Michael Willhoite: Daddy’s Roommate

6. Katherine Paterson: Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins

7. Stephen King: Cujo, Carrie, The Dead Zone

8. Maya Angelou: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

9. R.L. Stine: Goosebumps (Series)

10. John Steinbeck: Of Mice and Men

What You Can Do to Fight Censorship and Keep Books Available in Your Libraries:
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/fightcensorship.htm