Score

Gossip Girl the book was never banned.

To Emily:then it was banned if kids weren't allowed to read

Emily by that token 90% of these books were never banned because the US government stopped banning books over 50 years ago because it was ruled unconstitutional.

The banning of books is no longer a government sanctioned thing in the US or many other countries, it's a school based thing.

Ergo if an elementary school bans it it's a banned book

Books ARE still being challenged by parents and school board leaders all over the U.S.

Megan wrote: "Emily by that token 90% of these books were never banned because the US government stopped banning books over 50 years ago because it was ruled unconstitutional.

The banning of books is no longer ..."

It can also be done by public libraries and by governments. Just because you don't know that a book has been banned doesn't mean it hasn't. Individual states have banned books as recently as the 1980's. It was (and may still be) illegal to sell or possess The Anarchist's Cookbook in Washington State.

People: Books are banned all the time in various school districts in the United States, and by governments around the world. In very many schools all of these books and more are still banned!

There was a huge uproar when the Harry Potter books came out and very many schools banned them because they promote witchcraft---supposedly.

So, yes, books can be banned!

Lady Samantha wrote: "People: Books are banned all the time in various school districts in the United States, and by governments around the world. In very many schools all of these books and more are still banned!

Ther..."
Well, Harry Potter was challenged in Bristol, NH by me and it wasn't bc of promoting witchcraft as much as the age inappropriateness of it, the movies followed as I suspected with a pg-13 rating. They were reading it as mandatory daily readings in elementary. JK Rowling ended up agreeing with me, as did other parents, that it addressed adult issues and that is why the kids were going home crying and having nightmares. Having studied psychology I can tell you that their brains aren't finished developing to deal with the concept of death up to 9 yrs old. So, this is why a kid who got kidnapped and his parents murdered by their uncle is traumatizing, it makes them wonder "what if." Problem is, these young people can't process too much crime or they get nightmares. I asked for another assignment, signed for it and they still read it to her. This is illegal. That's why I brought it to the SAU Board/media.

Julie wrote: "Lady Samantha wrote: "People: Books are banned all the time in various school districts in the United States, and by governments around the world. In very many schools all of these books and more a..."

A great response, Julie!!! I LOVE the Harry Potter books but have always felt the content was too much for children under the age of 10 or 11, especially once you get to book 4. Good for you, remembering that it's your RIGHT to raise your child as you see fit!