Banned Books

I got this idea from Faith and Trista.... Lets talk about banned books I've read.....

I have a REAL problem with censorship. Just because someone writes it, that does not mean you have to read it. I also, as a parent, have the right to chose what Sydney reads until she is mature enough to handle it, to understand it. As a parent, this is not censorship, rather guidance. I will be giving her a copy of Are you there God, it's me Margret when she is about 11.

Plus, I know that as a parent who was a child, she has access to the school and public library. I'd rather her be open with me about what books she is reading, rather than hide them as I did. My mom was appalled to find Killer Clown in the pile to go back, but by then I had read it. I was smart enough to know she would object so I hid it when I checked it out and took it to school and read it there. BTW, this was on the recommendation of my 8th grade history teacher. (Side note, WHAT was he thinking recommending that book to an 8th grader. High school junior or senior, sure, but an 8th grader)

A prime example of this would be the new James Cameron "documentary" where he claims to find the bones of Jesus. As a Christian, I don't believe that is possible as I believe Jesus was resurrected. And FTR, James Cameron may have produced one of my all time favorite movies, Titanic natch, but I don't see him as a spiritual leader, and what ever he says won't shake my faith one bit. I however support his right to say what he wishes, but I chose not to watch the show.

In honor of my going and seeing the play, I just bought Wicked the book, and I'm sure there are plenty of people who think that book belongs on here.

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

I've bold-ed the one's I've read and my commentary on selected books is blue. The ones I've never heard of are green.

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Funny how this banned book was mandatory reading in high school. Much more depth to this story than Tom Sawyer.
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck No, but I read Grapes of Wrath
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling I can't believe that anyone tried to ban Harry. I've read the entire series at least twice, and read books 1-6 again in order while on bed rest. I can tell you exactly what I will be doing on July 13 and July 21.
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier Another banned book which was required reading.
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger I know something is lacking in my education that I have not read this book.
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine I used to read these like crazy when I was in Junior High.
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker Does seeing the movie count?
19. Sex by Madonna Flipped through a copy that a friend's older brother bought... We did this hidden and in secret. The same woman who made this book now complains her daughter wears too tight jeans. Wendy shakes her head.
20. Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous Does reading the Q&A on the website count?
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak You're kidding me, right? Someone tried to ban a book by the author of Where the Wild Things Are? Wendy makes a mental note to check this book out at Barnes and Noble and likely buy it for Sydney.
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl My mom read this book aloud to us after we saw the movie The Witches and my brother loved it.
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume I was read this book in elementary school, and read most of her books.
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam Why do I believe this is a banned book because W stands for Witch? People sure try to ban things about witches.
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood This book is on my list of books to read. I have wanted to read it since I saw the movie of the same name... Very scary movie.
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. What's Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras AAAKKK Puberty. It's Dirty, lets hide from it and her monthlies will never appear. Remember girls, it's called Men Stru Ation... That last sentence is a reference to a book on this list... 10 points if you are the first one to guess which book.
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Another banned book which was required reading. I loved this book and have read it many times, years and years ago. I want a daughter named Scout.
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison I'm bolding this, even though I did not finish it. I had a very hard time getting into the book and plowed through about 100 pages before I gave up.
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes Another required reading banned book. I remember it moving me to tears. I really should read this one again.
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein MIL bought this one for Sydney. My only complaint is that it does not have the "Sick" poem where the character goes "I'm sick today.... What do you mean, it's Saturday? I'm going outside to play." I guess I'll get the other book. I was read this book aloud by teachers and my mother.
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice) Read plenty of her other books, but I don't recall reading these... those dang witches. Gotta ban them.
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl Why would they ban this book? I don't remember any witches or sex?
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell Check this one out or purchase with a credit card... get a visit from the FBI. ;)
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest After the movie also on my I should read this list.
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. What's Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume I've read this one countless times. I wanted my period to come. I wanted to see pads with a belt and hooks. I wanted a better relationship with my mom.
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding Another required reading banned book. Poor Piggy.
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Hey everyone.... I'm having so much fun packing and cleaning! I think I'll be nice and let you come and pack for me!
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Where's Waldo? by Martin Hanford Well, there are adult images drawn into the pictures... plenty of T&A in those drawings. Still a fun way to spend some time. I HATED the page where they were all Waldos and you had to find the only one which was drawn correctly.
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman My mom has a copy of this book. She would read it to us. I just thought it was a cute book until I grew up. The book is in her living room.
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell I was read this book by teachers and my mom. Oh those subversive second grade teachers.
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Wow this list makes me want to go buy some books.