In the Realistic Fiction Chapter of The Joy of Children's Literature textbook, there is a section about perspectives on censorship. There are many challenged and banned books. According to the text book, a challenge is "an attempt by an individual or group to remove or restrict materials from the curriculum or library based upon objectionable ideas and information." Parents and schools can challenge books. Books are frequently challenged due to sexual content, offensive language, suitability for the intended age group, violence, and homosexuality. The school board can either deny the challenge or ban the material by having it removed from classrooms and schools. Often times, banning books does not achieve its goal. Censored books sometimes become best sellers. This happens due to the highly publicized challenge. Students are sometimes drawn more to books that are objected by adults and find ways around the censors. Teachers and librarians can help to reduce censorship by being aware of issues that might cause a challenge and a ban. It is important for teachers and librarians to evaluate and check books for challenging issues. Below is a list of the top 15 banned/challenged books and a website to the American Library Association's web page about banned and challenged books.
Top 15 banned/challenged books:
- Harry Potter Series - J.K. Rowling
- Alice Series - Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
- The Chocolate War - Robert Cromier
- And Tango Makes Three - Justin Richardson/PeterParnell
- Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
- Scary Stories Series - Alvin Schwartz
- His Dark Materials Series - Philip Pullman
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
- Fallen Angels - Walter Dean Meyers
- It's Perfectly Normal - Robie Harris
- Captain Underpants Series - Dav Pilkey
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
- The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison
- Forever - Judy Blume
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