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Green, JohnMorrison, ToniSPEAKKNOPF; NALChallenged in the Verona, N.J. HighSchool curriculum (2013) because a parentfound the sexual nature of the storyinappropriate. The book was a New YorkTimes bestseller and won the 2006 MichaelL. Printz Award for excellence in youngadult literature.Challenged in Legacy High School’sAdvanced Placement English classes inAdams County, Colo. (2013) because itwas a “bad book.” A notice was sent hometo let parents and students know whatthey would be reading and why and analternate assignment was offered to thosewho wanted it. Half a dozen students ofabout 150 opted to read one of thealternative texts and received instructionon those works outside of class time.Challenged on a suggested reading listfor Columbus, Ohio high-school students(2013) by the school board presidentbecause it is inappropriate for the schoolboard to “even be associated with it.”A fellow board member described thebook as having “an underlying socialistcommunist agenda.” Morrison is an Ohionative, Pulitzer Prize-winning author,and Nobel laureate.Looking for AlaskaSource: Nov. 2013, pp. 218–19.Ignatow, AmyThe Popularity PapersAMULETChallenged, but retained at two Prosser,Wash. elementary school libraries (2013).Only available to fifth-graders, the storyis written in a journal format and drawnby the two main characters who wantto unlock the secrets to being popularin middle school. One of the girls has twofathers; the other has only a mother. TheAmerican Library Association’s RainbowProject selected it as a top-ten title for2011. It was a 2010 National ParentingPublications Association Gold Awardwinner and selected by the ChicagoPublic Library as one of the 2011 “Bestof the Best” books.Source: May 2013, p. 124.Lyga, BarryI Hunt KillersLITTLE, BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERSChallenged on the Lexington, Ky. HenryClay High School reading list (2013)because it is too violent for teens. Thebook is listed on the Kentucky BluegrassAwards for ninth through twelfth grades.Source: Jan. 2014, p. 10.Bluest EyeSource: Sept. 2013, p. 184; Nov. 2013, p. 219.Myers, Walter DeanFallen AngelsSCHOL ASTICChallenged on the Danbury Middle Schoolreading list in Toledo, Ohio (2013) becauseof inappropriate language. The book depictsthe reality of the Vietnam War, withsometimes gruesome descriptions ofcombat and frequent foul language fromsoldiers. It won the 1988 Coretta ScottKing Award.Source: May 2013, p. 104.Naylor, Phyllis ReynoldsIntensely AliceATHENEUM BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS;SIMON PULSEChallenged, but retained in the Buffalo,Mo. middle school (2013) despite theprincipal’s formal complaint againstseveral “very questionable pages” featuringa safe sex scene.Source: May 2013, pp. 123–24.7BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O13–2O14Othman, Norani, ed.Muslim Women and theChallenges of Islamic ExtremismSISTERS IN ISL AMBanned by the Malaysian Ministry ofHome Affairs (2008) on the grounds thatit was “prejudicial to public order” andthat it could confuse Muslims, particularlyMuslim women. The Malaysian HighCourt overturned the ban on January 25,2010, and on March 14, 2103, the FederalCourt threw out the government’s appealto reinstate the ban.Source: May 2013, pp. 125–26.Rivera, TomasAnd the Earth Did NotDevour HimHAMPTON-BROWNChallenged, but retained as part of theClarke County, Ga. schools class readinglist (2013) despite “a paragraph in thebook [is] full of offensive language.” Thebook is the story of a Mexican boy’s life ina migrant family in the 1940s and 1950s,with themes of family life and tensions,getting an education, and growing up. In1970 Rivera’s book won the first Quinto Solliterary award, established by a Californiapublisher to encourage and promoteChicano authors.Source: Sept. 2013, pp. 184–85; Nov. 2013,p. 244.Rosen, LucyI Am BaneHARPERFESTIVALChallenged, but retained at the Geneva, Ill.Public Library (2013) despite concerns thatthe images are too scary for young readers.The film The Dark Knight Arises inspiredthe book.Source: Jan. 2014, p. 25.

Rowell, RainbowEleanor & ParkST. MARTIN’S PRESSRetained, despite a challenge by thechairman of the Anoka-Hennepin, Minn.School Board (2013) because parents of astudent objected to the book’s content,citing its use of profanity and its treatmentof sexuality. The Anoka County Libraryhad scheduled a visit by the author, butthe event was cancelled due to thecontroversy. Set in a poor Omahaneighborhood, the story concerns twooutsider teens in the 1980s who find acommon bond in music amidst poverty,bullying, abuse, racism, and buddingsexuality. Selected by National PublicRadio as a 2013 Great Read.Source: Nov. 2013, pp. 216–17; Jan. 2014,pp. 25–26.St. Stephen’s Community HouseThe Little Black Book for Girlz:A Book on Healthy SexualityANNICK PRESSChallenged at the Taft High library inLincoln City, Oreg. (2013) because “it issimply too graphic for a seventh grader.”Each library book is “run by a districtcommittee made up of district staff andcommunity members.”Source: July 2013, pp. 141–42.Satrapi, MarjanePersepolis:The Story of a ChildhoodPANTHEON BOOKSRemoved, via a district directive, fromall Chicago, Ill. public schools (2013) dueto “graphic illustrations and language”and concerns about “developmentalpreparedness” and “student readiness.”Seventh- and eleventh-grade studentsstudy the graphic novel about the author’sexperience growing up in Iran during theIranian revolution as part of ChicagoPublic Schools’ Literacy ContentFramework. As the news spread of thedirective, students mobilized a mediacampaign in opposition to “banning abook that’s all about the freedom ofspeech.” Students took to their Facebookand Twitter accounts, checked out alllibrary copies of the book, wrote blogs,sent e-mails, wrote investigative articlesfor the student newspaper, contactedthe author, staged protests, and appearedon local radio and television programs.Eventually the school issued a letter tellinghigh school principals to disregard theearlier order to pull the book. The bookwas a New York Times Notable Book, aTime Magazine “Best Comix of the Year,”and a San Francisco Chronicle and LosAngeles Times bestseller. A film versionwas nominated for Best Animated Featureat the 80th Academy Awards in 2007.Source: May 2013, pp. 103–4.Stone, Tanya LeeA Bad Boy Can Be Goodfor a GirlR ANDOM HOUSEChallenged, but retained at the Currituck,N. C. High School library (2013). This firstnovel by Stone, written in a poetry format,follows the story of three girls who fall forthe same bad boy intent on seducing everygirl in school.Walker, AliceColor PurpleHARCOURT BR ACE JOVANOVICHChallenged, but retained as a BrunswickCounty, N.C. Advanced Placement Englisheleventh-grade assignment (2013).Language and sexuality or “obscenity”were most often cited as the reason for themajority of the unofficial complaints andcriticisms, as was whether or not the book,a Pulitzer Prize winner that deals withissues of racism, violence against womenand rape, has literary value that was ageappropriate for the students.Source: Jan. 2014, p. 12; Mar. 2014, p. 66.Winter, JeanetteNasreen’s Secret School:A True Story from AfghanistanBEACH L ANE BOOKSChallenged in Johnson City, N.Y. schoolsas a suggested reading (2013) becauseof violent illustrations and storyline. Thebook is about the Taliban taking controlof an Afghan village and prevents girlsfrom going to school. After Nasreen’sfather is kidnapped and presumed killed,her grandmother smuggles her each dayto an underground school where she canlearn to read and write.Source: Jan. 2014, pp. 11–12.Winter, JeanetteThe Librarian of Basra:A True Story from IraqHMH BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERSChallenged in Johnson City, N.Y. schoolsas a suggested reading (2013) because ofviolent illustrations and storyline. The bookis about a librarian who sneaks books outof a library during the U.S. bombings inIraq. The librarian works with membersof the community to keep the books safeuntil the war is over and a new library canbe built.Source: Jan. 2014, pp. 11–12.Source: Nov. 2013, p. 243.BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O13–2O148

9BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O13–2O14

Each day, all across the country, one of our most basicfreedoms—the right to read—is in danger. In communitieslarge and small, censorship attempts threaten toundermine our freedom to read. Without our constantsupport, the First Amendment freedoms that we sooften take for granted—the right to read, explore ideas,and express ourselves freely—are at risk.The First Amendment guarantees that each of usguide their own children’s reading, that right doeshas the right to express our views, including opinionsnot extend to other people’s children. Similarlyabout particular books. At the same time, the Firsteach adult has the right to choose his or her ownAmendment also ensures that none of us has thereading materials, along with the responsibilityright to control or limit another person’s ability toto acknowledge and respect the right of othersread or access information. Yet when individuals orto do the same.groups file formal written requests demanding thatlibraries and schools remove specific books fromthe shelves, they are doing just that—attemptingto restrict the rights of other individuals to accessthose books.When we speak up to protect the right to read,we not only defend our individual right to freeexpression, we demonstrate tolerance and respectfor opposing points of view. And when we takeaction to preserve our precious freedoms, weThe rights and protections of the First Amendmentbecome participants in the ongoing evolution ofextend to children and teens as well as adults. Whileour democratic society.parents have the right—and the responsibility—toBOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O13–2O1410

Act now to protect your right to read.Here are three ways that you can get involved:Stay InformedBe aware of what’s happeningThe best way to fight censorship is tobe aware that it’s happening. When youencounter it, be prepared to speak upor let others know.Ask the people on the front lines —librarians, teachers, and school principals— if there are any current attempts tochallenge or ban books or other materials.If they have support groups or informationlists, ask to join them.Legislators and public officials oftenintroduce legislation to restrict access tobooks and other materials in libraries,schools, and bookstores. Let officials knowthat there are citizens actively opposed todemands to restrict or remove books inschools and libraries.Attend school board, library board,and PTA meetingsYou can speak up about the importance of freespeech to education in a democratic society.As a regular participant in gatherings,you have the opportunity to learn aboutpolicies governing access to books andmaterials. You can witness firsthand whensomeone demands that a school or libraryremove a book or restrict access to books.11BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O13–2O14Subscribe to print and onlinenews publicationsYou can stay current on First Amendmentrights and censorship issues.The ALA Office for IntellectualFreedom (ala.org/oif) publishesthe Newsletter on Intellectual Freedomand provides regular news updates viathe OIF blog, Twitter (twitter.com/oif)and the IFACTION mailing list(lists.ala.org/sympa/info/ifaction).The First Amendment Center(firstamendmentcenter.org) maintainsan online First Amendment )and provides breaking news about FirstAmendment issues via its RSS newsfeed.Join groups committed topreserving the right to readYou can participate by joining thesenonprofit organizations.The Freedom to Read Foundation(ftrf. org) is the only organization in theUnited States whose primary goal is toprotect and promote the First Amendmentin libraries by participating in litigationdealing with free expression in libraries andother venues. Members receive a quarterlynewsletter, The FTRF News.The American Booksellers Foundationfor Free Expression (abffe.org) promotesand protects the free exchange of ideas,particularly those contained in books,by opposing restrictions on the freedomof speech.The National Coalition AgainstCensorship (ncac.org) is an alliance offifty national nonprofit organizations,including literary, artistic, religious,educational, professional, labor, and civilliberties groups, that work to educate bothmembers and the public at large aboutthe dangers of censorship and how tooppose it.The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund(cbldf.org) works to protect free speech incomics by supporting First Amendmentrights for members of the comics community,fans, and professionals alike.The American Civil Liberties Union(aclu.org) works daily to defend andpreserve the individual rights and libertiesguaranteed by the Constitution, includingthe freedom of speech and freedom ofthe press. Local chapters and affiliates(aclu. org/affiliates) provide assistance tolocal communities.

Challenge CensorshipReport censorship to ALA’sOffice for Intellectual FreedomYou can help raise awareness of censorshipin your local community.ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedomtracks attempts to remove or restrict booksacross the country. By reporting censorshipincidents, you can help to identify trends incensorship cases and document responsesand solutions to censorship. All identifyinginformation is kept strictly confidential.You can file reports online by going toala. org/challengereporting.Attend and participate inpublic hearingsYou can inform public officials that censorshipwon’t be tolerated in the community.By attending hearings, you can speak outin support of free expression and the rightto read freely. You can let officials knowthat there are citizens actively opposedto demands to restrict or remove booksin schools and libraries. Such attemptsseldom succeed when concerned citizensspeak out against censorship.Write letters to public officialsYou can write to public officials encouragingthem to preserve the freedom to read.Let them know that your rights and yourviews are entitled to the same respect asthose who seek to censor books. Writeto any public official that you believe canprevent the suppression of books in yourcommunity: your mayor, city council,other city officials, library board members,school board members, superintendentof schools, etc.Send a letter or an op-ed articleto local news organizationsYou can update community news outletswith information and opinion.Make sure you let reporters and editorsknow that there are members of thecommunity who oppose censorship andthe official suppression of ideas. Lettersto public officials, letters sent to localnews outlets, and comments posted onwebsites and blogs are effective ways toraise awareness.Work with community groupsYou can network with local organizationsfor support.Inform professional associations, civicorganizations, and religious groups aboutattempts to remove books from thecommunity’s library or school. You can askto speak to their membership about theimportance of preserving First Amendmentfreedoms. Or ask if you can contribute anarticle to the group’s newsletter or website.You can speak with the group’s leadersand ask them to lend public supportto efforts to protect the right to read inthe community.Form a coalition to opposecensorship in your communityYou can partner with others who supportthe right to read freely.Even a small number of persons can forman effective group to oppose censorship.Such groups allow members to shareresponsibility for attending meetings andconducting outreach efforts. By joiningtogether you can become a resourcefor the community as a whole. To readthe story of one exemplary communitycoalition, visit its website atwestbendparentsforfreespeech.webs.com.Seek assistance fromnational groupsYou can get guidance and support fromexperienced organizations.Get started by researching existing groupsso that you can benefit from their expertise.Check out the national organizations listedon page 10 for assistance, resources, andreferrals whenever you or your organizationaddresses demands to remove books fromlibraries or schools.Support Your Local Schools and LibrariesJoin Library Friends groupsand PTAsYou can become an advocate for communityeducation groups.Libraries and schools rely on volunteers andadvocates to accomplish their mission ofeducating young people. These groups alsoprovide information and lifelong learningopportunities to adults in the community.You can contribute by participating inFriends groups, PTAs, or volunteeringdirectly where your help will strengthenthese vital institutions.Participate in Banned Books WeekYou can promote the right to read by joiningin the celebration.Each year, libraries, schools, and bookstoresacross the nation celebrate the freedom toread by observing Banned Books Week. Thispublic event in September features authorvisits and readings from banned books.You can show your support for the freedomto read by attending these events. Pleasevisit ala.org/bbooks for more resourcesand information, or connect on Facebook(facebook.com/bannedbooksweek).BOOKS CHALLENGED OR BANNED, 2O13–2O1412

Bless Me, Ultima WARNER BOOKS Retained in the Teton High School sophomore English class in Driggs, Idaho (2013) despite concerns about the novel’s mature content. Anaya’s best-known work, it was awarded the prestigious Premio Quinto Sol. President George W. Bush awarded Anaya t