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In light of recent events, I almost feel that talking or writing about any other topic
is absurd, tacky even.
But in the midst of the turmoil that is my office Inbox, I came upon the American Library
Association's press release for National Banned Books Week (September 22nd to September
29th). On the list of the 100 most challenged/banned books of the past 10 years, I found
all my old friends: THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, A WRINKLE IN TIME, THE OUTSIDERS, TO
KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. These are the books who were my friends and teachers and comfort
throughout my crazy teen years. Their stories helped shape me into the person I am today.
And somewhere, someone is trying to keep these books off library shelves and out of school
classrooms.
Our country was founded on the ideals of freedom of speech and expression, and now all
Americans have to make sure they are upheld. The books on this list are intelligent
stories that challenge your perceptions and make you aware of the often harsh realities of
life. And while, certainly, a parent might decide a particular book is too mature for his
or her child, no city council or church group or senator should have the right to declare
a book off limits for every child in a community.
With these thoughts in mind, I urge everyone to peruse the below list of 20 of the 100
most challenged/banned books. Exercise your rights as an American and pick up a copy of
something you haven't read or maybe an old favorite that you need to revisit.
 1. SCARY STORIES (Series)
Alvin Schwartz
illustrated by Stephen Gammell
HarperCollins Juvenile Books
ISBN: 006440465X
 2. DADDY'S ROOMMATE
Michael Willhoite
Alyson Pubs.
ISBN: 1555831184
 3. I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
Maya Angelou
Bantam Books
ISBN: 0553279378
 4. THE CHOCOLATE WAR
Robert Cormier
Laurel Leaf
ISBN: 0440944597
 5. THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
Mark Twain
Dover Pubs.
ISBN: 0486280616
 6. OF MICE AND MEN
John Steinbeck
Penguin USA (Paper)
ISBN: 0140177396
 7. HARRY POTTER (Series)
J. K. Rowling
Scholastic Trade
 8. FOREVER...
Judy Blume
Pocket Books
ISBN: 0671695304
 9. BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA
Katherine Paterson
HarperTrophy
ISBN: 0064401847
 10. ALICE (Series)
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Aladdin Paperbacks
 11. HEATHER HAS TWO MOMMIES
Leslea Newman
Alyson Pubs.
ISBN: 1555835430
 12. MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD
James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
Scholastic Paperbacks
ISBN: 059042792X
 13. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
J. D. Salinger
Lb Books
ISBN: 0316769487
More on Teenreads.com
 14. THE GIVER
Lois Lowry
Laurel Leaf
ISBN: 0440219078
180 pages
 15. IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex & Sexual
Health
Robie H. Harris
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 1564021998
 16. GOOSEBUMPS (Series)
R. L. Stine
Apple
ISBN: 0590453653
 17. A DAY NO PIGS WOULD DIE
Robert Newton Peck
Random House Childrens
ISBN: 0679853065
 18. THE COLOR PURPLE
Alice Walker
Pocket Books
ISBN: 0671727796
 19. SEX
Madonna
 20. EARTH'S CHILDREN (Series)
Jean M. Auel
Bantam Books
ISBN: 0553250426
For more information about banned and challenged books, Banned Books Week, and the many
other important programs sponsored by the American Library Association, go to
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/.
--- Jennifer Abbots
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