For The L♥ve of Reading discussion

Top ten most frequently challenged books of 2008
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy...

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman
Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
8. Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper
Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group

TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle

i own all these books
theyre ok for like 16 throught 18

What??? Flashcards of my life? Sexually explicit, really? I think maybe one character gets a kiss or something. It's been a while since I've read that book, but seriously?

I have The Kite Runner and His Dark Materials on my TBR list.

Just read The Kite Runner for our Book Club. Didn't know it was a banned book. I love banned books...want a collection of them but it would be a large collection!

The Kiterunner was intense but I wouldn't ban it. Not even close. It def doesn't hit even close to some other books.

I understand that Kite Runner is a little sexually explicit, etc., but I think it's completely justified in this book. Without it I might not have cried so hard or been so affected by the situation of the characters.

I read the 'His Dark Materials' series in primary school, I had no problem with it, I don't see what the big fuss is all about.

I don't see why people get so upset about His Dark Materials either. I love the series - along with a couple of other series, it's at the top of my list of favorite books. I haven't read anything else on this list, though I'm planning on reading The Kite Runner.

Pandy wrote: "I don't see why people get so upset about His Dark Materials either. "

Hi Pandy, I think some religious individuals get really upset when any writer trys to compare your soul as a demon or that when your soul is dead than the body is dead and they look at it as conflict of christianity.

However, they have no problem in going to movies and watching the movie "Knowing". Talking about a conflict of who "God" is and that only children go to heaven.

Anyway, there is a book for everyone and I believe if its not their cup of tea than read something that is and keep their comments to themselves. Its not like I go around bashing their religion and beliefs, I respect them and do my own thing and try to keep myself educated enough to know the difference in whats reality and whats fantacy. Alot of people can't do that, they take things to serious and condem what they don't understand.

You know I read the Dark Material awhile back and I didn't see the whole religious conflict so thanks Ronda for letting us know what the whole fuss was about. I guess I can see why people would be offended. The truth is though after I read this series my beliefs didn't change at all so it's not like if the author has a hidden agenda it's really working on the young audience. I read them in middle school so I wasn't really looking for all that "hidden meaning" stuff. All I saw was an adventure in a alternate world.

Cara wrote: " I read this series my beliefs didn't change at all so it's not like if the author has a hidden agenda it's really working on the young audience. I read them in middle school so I wasn't really looking for all that "hidden meaning" stuff. All I saw was an adventure in a alternate world."

Hi Cara, thats what I read too but can you believe they said the same thing about C.S. Lewis "The Chronicles of Naria" - Evidently the Lion was looked at as representing God. Makes me laugh how how they can take a simple fantacy and turn it into something that is supose to be considered eveil.

Either way, I read it and my kids read it to and we all loved it. Thanks for replying.

Happy reading.

Ronda wrote: "Hi Cara, thats what I read too but can you believe they said the same thing about C.S. Lewis "The Chronicles of Naria" - Evidently the Lion was looked at as representing God. Makes me laugh how how they can take a simple fantacy and turn it into something that is supose to be considered eveil.
"

I haven't read His Dark Materials, but Narnia is allegorical. Lewis was a Christian.

He put a lot of Christian symbolism in that book. Aslan=Jesus, White Witch=Devil, Lucy's childlike faith in Aslan=how Christians should have faith in God, Aslan created Narnia=God created the world, etc. The list could go on and on.

Yep.

There is one thing that some individuals don't realize and that is that imagination is the key to creating. Without imagination we wouldn't have these fancy advanced materials we live in or with everyday like electricity or better built buildings or entertainment through songs or movies or even sports. I believe god gave us all a mind to use to prosper and by denying these creative books in my opinion is like denying the gift that god gave us to prosper.

Happy reading everyone.

Ronda wrote: "Cara wrote: " I read this series my beliefs didn't change at all so it's not like if the author has a hidden agenda it's really working on the young audience. I read them in middle school so I wasn..."

No way! It's like you said they kind of twist everything. Well I'm glad your kids enjoyed the books and got past all that mumbo jumbo. Sheesh Chronicles of Narnia really? Well happy reading back:)

Dark Material I have not read yet. Lewis, was Christian and I still think the books were good. There are worse things out there to listen too and read. Since it is conflicting to the church it was banned fast. Most of the time it seems that way... the church really cuts into the freedoms that we are supposed to have. Fantasy is also hit hard because anything that is made up can be considered witchcraft, leaving your christian views, and alt reality where you don't have to listen to your parents. These are all bad things, apparently. I wish my boys had a bit more imagination.

I really enjoyed His Dark Materials series. I'm not a christian but I would have to say the story is not christian friendly. They were great fun to read.

When I read "His Dark Materials", I didn't try to compare it with christianity - I compared it to pure fantacy and my kids thought so too.

There is nothing wrong with having religious beliefs but when they start condeming books then in my opinion, they are judging - which is suposed to be a sin.

Right, only one can judge. As I can tell he isn't around banning books on us. If they thought critical thinking, people who be able to weed out what is nonsense or detrimental towards their faith. But I guess it is easier to just say "No". Why? "Because I said so."

❤ ☠ Elyssa ☠ ❤ wrote: "But I guess it is easier to just say "No". Why? "Because I said so."

LOL Elyssa, when I read that statement, I had to laugh because I know you have kids and I've already raised my kids and I can still hear myself telling my kids "No". Why? "Because I said so."

Boy did that bring back memories. You spoke like a true and very displined Mom.

Why thank you.

Although, I try really hard not to say those dreaded words. I tell them straight up because I do not want to. Or because I'm broke. Or what ever is true. I usually just say it when I'm picking on them. Like when they ask to go to the bathroom. No. Why? Because I said so. Why? So, I can laugh at you while you stand there dancing like a dork. LOL!

Too funny Elyssa! You just wait, they will grow up and tease you back - LOL

I give it a year before my oldest is taller than me and he is 8. LOL. They grow up way too fast!

I love how all of these were challenged as being unsuitable for the age group. It brings to mind the classic "Won't SOMEONE think of the CHILDREN!?" line of bull. Kids are smarter than you think and more resiliant too. Oh yeah, and they've probably come across these threatening ideas already. The world is good at throwing stuff like that our way.

Isn't And Tango Makes Three about penguins? How is that racist? Sorry, Anti-ethnic. They're PENGUINS. (no, I haven't read it, maybe I'm missing something)

I feel like people get wayy too worked up about stuff. Most kids don't think anything of it! They don't notice the political/religious viewpoint!

I'm surprised they didn't ban Deadline, it promotes diversity, sort of puts you in the mind of a pedophile ( SPOILER HE COMMITS SUICIDE 2 STOP HIMSELF FROM RAPING A BOY! *cries* SPOILER OVER!!! ), has teenage pregnancy, and has a very very very liberal standpoint in many cases.

Wow, that does sound intense.

But it's so good!!!

Oh, and he *gasp* has sex!
And there's inbreeding!

well here in san francisco they've banned like all books about like wicca and anything to do with witchcraft, even fiction books, from the library...

Wow... I would be upset. Does that include Harry Potter witchcraft? Wicca is not the first thing I would go to for books but there are some stories with witches that I would like to read.

Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya is a book that my college just a grant for. The students of the College, faculty and members of the community were given this book free to read. We have to read sections and then get together as a community group and discuss the book. I think tomorrow is the first discussion. (I'll have to double check.) This book is based on his childhood. If the book is based on his childhood and it is banned I wonder how bad his life was. On the other hand he grew up over the odds and became a writer. Doesn't that make you feel good? He did something good with his life.

❤ ☠ Elyssa ☠ ❤ wrote: "Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya is a book that my college just a grant for. The students of the College, faculty and members of the community were given this book free to read. We have to read..."


elyssa,
i think the book has been banned for its elements of magical realism and witchcraft. this book was chosen as the city wide read a few years back by the houston public library system and i have to say, that being latina, i was greatly disappointed in the writing. i had high expectations for this novel and it fell way short. some of our spanish teachers read this book, but i would never want to teach it as i feel it doesn't have much going on that is unique.

Unique can be interesting, however, truth needs to be heard in some issues. I have not gotten too far into this book to really comment yet.

This may sound like a very stupid question... but when "they" ban a book, who are "they"? And, if we all have access to these books and we'll never get in trouble for reading them, why ban these books at all? What's the purpose? I know I sound really stupid, but please explain.

When? Books are banned all of the time. Some books were bannned many years ago but are still considered to be banned. Some were written back in the day and are being banned now because what they wrote was racist. (Well, that is how things were then.) And others are banned for what ever reason someone doesn't like them.

"They" I have no idea either. I don't think there is a board or anything. I do know that parents have gathered together to ban books. Same with the church.

Access is because maybe only a certain school district has a book banned. Or an area where a church has banned the book. Once it is banned anywhere it gets added to the banned list.

I finished The Kite Runner last night. I understand now why people either love it or hate it. It's either going to touch someone deeply or disturb them deeply.

I really enjoyed The Kiterunner. It is not the run of the mill average story but it should open your eyes. Those of types of books hit you and seem to never really leave your mind. I've read a book two months ago and couldn't really tell you much about it. The Kiterunner I read in 08 and I can still talk about it. (I actually bought it a few days ago so I can have it on my shelf to re-read again later.)

I recommend the reading of ROOFTOPS OF TEHRAN. I thought it ws similar to THE KITE RUNNER. Not the same story; but the ideas of growing up in a difficult situation. ROOFTOPS is told during the Shah overthrow in Iran.

Thanks for the recommendation.

It's funny. My mom and I are watching Gossip Girl, I also read them and loved them, and my mom was saying how she thought it was amazing that they allowed to show it on TV because minors are drinking and it is showing minors given alcohol by adults! Personally, I don't care and neither does my mom, but with how strict the drinking laws are, we thought that was kind of interesting that they would show that.

Minors drink on tv and in movies all the time and I've never thought about it twice, funny how different people are

I was watching something on tv and the characters were saying some pretty foul words...I can remember when we were just getting used to 'hell' and 'damn' being able to pass censorship...now they talk about ovulating and other sexual things that used to be private and very taboo. The younger generation, not growing up with the taboo, seems to think anything and everything is OK to talk about...so what relaxed the taboos first: the media, or the audience (which then influenced the media)?

i cant believe they banned TTFN, TTYL, and L8T G8R! I love those books!