Expand your mind...read a banned book!

It’s that time of year again when the American Library Association promotes Banned Books Week in an effort to spotlight books that people find “offensive.” Below is a list of the ten most challenged books for 2007. These books had complaints filled against them for various reasons. Some will recognize that a few young adult titles have made the list.

In order to promote intellectual freedom I encourage everyone to read a banned/challenged book.

The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” are:

1. “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter ParnellReasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2. "The Chocolate War,” by Robert CormierReasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3. “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin HenkesReasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4. “The Golden Compass,” by Philip PullmanReasons: Religious Viewpoint

5. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark TwainReasons: Racism

6. “The Color Purple,” by Alice WalkerReasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7. "TTYL,” by Lauren MyracleReasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya AngelouReasons: Sexually Explicit

9. “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie HarrisReasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10. "The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen ChboskyReasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group