Top Banned Books of 2003

[Ackar]

Slashdot | Top Banned Books of 2003

The ALA (American Library Association) recently published the new 100 most frequently banned books list of 2003. Of the banned books, Harry Potter was in the number 7th place in the most frequently banned. Also included were 'Where's Waldo' and 'The Giver' along with 'Goosebumps' and 'How to Eat Fried Worms.' These books were banned from various public institutions. This means that they were banned from various public libraries and public schools around the nation. (private schools, libraries, and institutions of higher learning don't count) The ALA encourages the people of the United States to fight against the book bans and read a banned book today!

I liked some of those books...

What's so evil about Waldo?

[Rolo]

The most consistent correlation I see among those books, they are all very popular, and confront the deep issues. "Leagalists" just can't stand it when the deep issues are discussed.

[Jumbotummy]

aw man I read all of those books...
Those books were pretty interesting too...

[Laith]

You have got to be kidding me??!!

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"??
"Of Mice and Men"?
"The Catcher in the Rye"?
"Brave New World"?
"Lord of the Flies"?
"Carrie"??

These are just some on the list... why would anyone want to ban these books? I mean if you don't want to read them, DON'T!!

This *is* the *American* Library Association? So we are talking about banned books in the US? Wow... I might have been less surprised if it had been in... let's see... North Korea? Iran? Saudi Arabia?

[^iMp^]

lol

7. Harry Potter (series)
...
60. American Psycho
...
87. Private Parts

Does this strike anyone else as silly? I guess it all depends on what "challenged" means. BTW, ALA is the good guy.

^iMp^

[Gomer]

Something is terribly wrong here:

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"??
"Of Mice and Men"?
"The Catcher in the Rye"?
"Brave New World"?
"Lord of the Flies"?"

All required reading (plus I enjoyed them) while in highschool!

[oldfarmhouse]

This is scarry stuff and add the fact that the Attorney General can evesdrop on your library book selection thanks to the Patriot Act makes the Orwell Book 1984 a thing of the present not fiction. We must thank our founding fathers for the right to Vote.
“Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.” (German: “"Dort, wo man Bücher verbrennt, verbrennt man am Ende auch Menschen.”)—Heinrich Heine, from his play Almansor (1821)

[Momotaro]

The ALA is reporting about books that have been banned by particular libraries, NOT all US libraries. I am wondering how many of the libraries are public libraries vs. the libraries of private institutions.

Many books are banned in libraries for reasons most of us will never be able to understand. Fear, racism, and homophobia. However, while these books may not be available to all people via the given library system, these books are still available in the US, they are not illegal.

Mike

[Wasserpest]

On the other hand, books like the Anarchist Cookbook, A Do-it-yourself Submachine Gun, Home Workshop Explosives, Secrets of Methamphetamine Manufacture etc etc are readily available at your local bookstore and online.

[corigan]

Pretty sad. I'm a big horror fan (movies and novels) and started reading horror books at a young age. I say let the children read whatever they want to read if it interests them. Atleast they are reading. All those books mentioned above are great books, and I can't believe classics are still getting banned around here.
I used to check out stephen king books at my middle school library, grades 6-8.

Matt

[zapus]

Mark Twain made the list and V. C. Andrews didn't? That's twisted...

[Jumbotummy]

EXPECTO PATRONOUS!!!!!
HA! EAT MAGIC!! TAKE THAT!!

I don't know any other book that I've seen little kids actually line up for except Harry Potter... Actually I even lined up to be one of the people to get their copy when the book came out and I can't wait for the next book to come out!

[Momotaro]

On the other hand, books like the Anarchist Cookbook, A Do-it-yourself Submachine Gun, Home Workshop Explosives, Secrets of Methamphetamine Manufacture etc etc are readily available at your local bookstore and online.

As are all of the books on the list.

Mike