Photo Credit: AbeBooks
Actually, I’m not sure if this list is 2013 or 2014, but let’s just say 2013. Eh. Before we delve into the list let me first say that I see no point in banning books at all. Actually, I do have one exception. I apologize beforehand if you happen to be a fan of this author or her writing, but there’s an author on WordPress who writes a series of stories that follow a stepbrother and stepsister who are involved with each other. Sexually. Yeah, ban that. Ban it here. On Amazon. Everywhere. And the titles of the books are so horrible. Ugh. I’m leaving it alone. Other than that, I’d say most everything else is fair game.
10. Bone (series) by Jeff Smith
I honestly have never heard of this series of books. But the reasons listed for its placement on this list were political viewpoint, racism, and violence. I won’t comment because I simply am unaware. I will say that the cover shown in the article I’m referencing looks to be aimed at children. I think it would be understandable for a book aimed toward a younger audience to be included on this list if it has racism and violence.
9. Bless me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
Another book I’m unfamiliar with. The reasons given were Satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, and sexually explicit. Hmm. Okay.
8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I haven’t read the book, but I have seen the movie. I thought it was great. But I also find its placement on this understandable. I mean, this is geared toward teens, right? Well the nature and things discussed in the book are definitely serious in nature. The reasons given were drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Can’t say I disagree with any of those. Though this is a book I want to read at some point since I’ve seen the movie.
7. Looking for Alaska by John Green
Hasn’t John Green become something of a superstar recently? I’ve never read his books but I hear his name all the time and see blog posts about him just as often. I assume this is a YA book? The reasons given were drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. And here I thought YA was all about vampires and paranormal romances. Guess not. But then again I have no earthly idea what this about.
6. A Bad Boy Can be Good for a Girl by Tanya Lee Stone
I’m starting to see a patten here. The reasons given were drugs/alcohol/smoking, nudity, explicit language, sexually explicit. Never read this. Never will. Moving on.
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
WHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTT?! Last I checked Katniss isn’t running around having sex with everyone or drinking or smoking or anything besides trying to stay alive! This is stupid. Do I agree with this making the list? No. Do I understand it making the list? No. Do I want to find someone who helped come up with the list and punch them in the face? Yes. The reasons given were religious viewpoint and unsuited to age group. Shut up. Before I get angry.
4. Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James
I can honestly say that there was not single tidbit of surprise in me when I saw this book made the list. I mean, it doesn’t get any more self-explanatory than this, right? I’m not going to list the reasons given because you all know them already. If you don’t, good. Stay away from the internet!
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Never read, Reasons given were drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. I’m assuming that this is another YA book or geared toward even younger audiences because that seems to always be the case when you see “unsuited to age group.”
2. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
I thought Toni Morrison was one of those authors who everyone loves today? I’ve never read her books, but I swear I’ve read plenty about her. Hm. Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, violence. What’s with all the sex and drugs in these books? I guess someone’s got to write about it all, right?
1. Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey
Ha. Seriously, this just tells me what a joke this list is. I mean, most of the books are so understandable that explanations aren’t necessary when you see the content you’re dealing with. But this? Really? I remember EVERYONE reading these books when I was in elementary school. I never read one, but everyone else did. Because they were pretty funny, I assume. Reasons: offensive language, unsuited to age group, violence. I’m done. This is no longer relevant. To find this book on the same list as some of the other titles. And I’m seeing here that it’s not the first time it’s made it. Oh well.
So there you have the most banned books of 2013. What do you think? If you’re anything like me, about a third of the list is a laughing stock.
You can read an article about the list on The Huffington Post here.
Interesting post, and my only objection to Captain Underpants was the poor grammar. But my grandson loved them and it was hard enough to get him to read anything. Geeze.
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Yep. Everyone I knew read those books.
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I would love to know why “religious viewpoint” is tagged to The Hunger Games. That makes no sense.
You might want to check this out http://www.ila.org/BannedBooks/BBW_2012-2013_Shortlist.pdf It gives a better explanation as to why some of these books were banned/challenged. Though…Hunger Games is no where on this list and I can’t find a better explanation why it was banned/challenged.
Most of them have a certain case that brought up the ban/challenge. I was a little sad when I saw Ender’s Game on the list. It was such a great book, I can’t imagine why parents would be mad that their kids were reading it.
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I think that’s the previous year’s list. I got this from articles written this month. And I double and triple checked.
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wow really? you’re that young that you read Captain Underpants in elementary school???? i was reading them in high school!!!! I can understand the rest of the books but Captain Underpants. That book got my nephews into reading and it is really hard to get boys to read around here. now stop making me feel old!!!!
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Welllllll on my About Me page it kinda says I’m 22, so….
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oh wow i feel way old now!!!! lol
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Oh please. You can use Twitter. Can’t be that old. Haha
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lol i graduation high school in 2002! I’m old i promise!
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Only eight years older than me. You’re young! Stop it.
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you’re funny! maybe you should be a comedian too!!!
Seriously though: Thanks!
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You’re the second person to tell me that on this post. I think I believe it now. 🙂
And it’s a fact. Young young young.
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lol 30 is the new 20 i hear! i can’t believe i just said that! you’re only as old as you feel and i think i’m about 15 then!!!!
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Ahaha yes you’re lame for saying that. It’s okay. I won’t tell. 🙂
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Thanks for keeping my secret! I think i need medication after this mornings blog though!
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Sleep? It’s like eight. On a Friday. Hmm.
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your just now reading that? i posted that last night to make you laugh! hell its friday stop talking to us old fogies online and go get drunk or have some fun! i know how to start a riot with you want!!!!
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Nope. I read it yesterday. When you wrote it. And commented. Read my About Me page again. I’m boring. I like talking with everyone on here. Love it, actually.
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lol your telling me even my friends from highschool only like talking on FB or twitter! it’s not bad, but i want to talk to someone and look at them sometimes! See totally lame and old. and i read your page twice! you were the first follower i had and i was excited! Super lame-o
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Haha I do too. Sometimes. Rarely. And only like a handful of people.
Hahaha 🙂 glad I could bring some excitement your way. I remember my first follower. She hasn’t blogged in months. Oh well.
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I will gladly blog everyday just to brighten the lives of those around me so dont worry i’ll you’ll be fine!
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Welllll none of my friends or family reads my blog. They suck. Lol
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mine either! my sister hates and refuses to talk to me and my mom wouldnt know how! hell my husband doesnt even want to follow my blog
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Hahaha this made me laugh. The problems of a blogger.
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lol i know right!
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They don’t know what they’re missing. I’ll be coming up on a year in early June and I can’t imagine myself ever not blogging. Just think of it as your secret life. Haha 😉
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i do! this is the life i wish i could live! i live through my books too!
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Haha so then your protagonist must be 15.
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oh to really be 15 again!!! sorry someone 2 stared my preview because of my grammar! lol here’s the tantrum
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Haha that’s okay. My book’s rating is not what I’d like. I’m not worried. Just writing better.
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i hope i get more that can see past the grammar errors!!!! oh well you win some you lose some still working on tomorrow’s blog!
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It’ll be fine. Watch. That means we’re in the same boat as yesterday. Hahaha cause I have to write my post. I normally don’t post on Saturdays but it’s that writing process blog hop thing.
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You’re hilarious.
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You’re telling me you’re just now realizing this?
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Yes, It just became obvious.
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What did I say?
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Yes. I just notice. All of this time, I was apparently missing out. Who knew.
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Hmm. I still don’t know what I said.
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The whole thing. Your comments in the banned ones. Hilarious.
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Wellllll I am known to cause a chuckle every now and then. I think you’re funny too. 🙂
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Practically every post lol. Why thank you 🙂
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Oh stop. Now you’re just being nice.
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Lol Fifty Shades of Gray…. All the poolside mom’s favorite book back when I was a life guard
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Really? Did you ever give them a look like….you’re ew. Hahaha
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Haha yes many looks were given from behind my sunglasses
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Good. We can remain friends. Haha
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First I want to say I stumbled onto your blog without even trying, and I completely love it! I completely agree, banning books is generally bad, save that instance you gave and others like it, at least they should go to their own corner of their own store. This list is ridiculous, and you made me laugh as you showed exactly why.
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Wellll thank you! You’re so nice. 🙂
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I agree with you that books shouldn’t be banned, except maybe books like 50 shades of grey :’D But honestly, they just can’t put that piece of shit into one list together with The Hunger Games, The perks of being a wallflower, or Toni Morrison! I mean, honestly, WTF! Who did this list? Probably a religious, prude who doesn’t know what true art is. There is sex, drugs, and alcohol almost in every book. Not as explicitly as in 50 shades of grey though, but still. I mean, those things are somehow a part of our lives, and some of them become problems for some people. Writing about problems in books is one of the essential reasons of authors to begin writing.
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It was the American Library Association. I agree with pretty much everything you said. Supposedly the list is compiled by adding the number of complaints a particular book gets. But I’d like to meet a parent who complains about THG or Captain Underpants. So I can slap them. Multiple times.
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to be honest there are some books I dont understand why they were banned. But Fifty Shades I can understand
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I think from this list that THG and Captain Underpants should not be included. Those are terrible choices for a list like this
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yes…and looking for Alaska.
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I’ll take your word for it. Though I haven’t read it.
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John Green is a great author. oh and like you said Hunger Games has nothing bad at all. that was a weird choice
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I know he is. At least one would assume so when seemingly EVERY person ever has read his books. But me.
Well THG has like kids killing kids but it’s not like you’re reading gruesome details of all of it. You know what’s happening without knowing having to see it
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yes. very true. great post though 🙂
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Thanks!
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I’d felt embarrassed seeing the Captain Underpants books in stores, but they never inspired in me any thoughts beyond “that seems kind of juvenile, doesn’t it?” … which, I suppose, shouldn’t be a problem for juvenile readers. Actually I’m kind of more amazed that people are apparently still reading them, since it’s surely been most of a generation since the series started, hasn’t it?
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Started in the 90s. Still releasing new books today.
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What “Captain Underpants” no way. My son loved those books, it got him reading. I asked my dad to buy him one for his birthday and he misheard me and went to the store and asked for “Cats in Underpants” the girl thought he was very strange indeed. haha
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Hahaha that’d be great!
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There are some strange choices on the list, embarrassingly I have only read Fifty Shades but i hasten to add that it was for a book review which I promised to do after having imbibed copious amounts of alcohol.
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Hahaha only person ever to promise a book review after getting drunk! Love it
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It happens pretty frequently, it is the only way to get me to read bad stuff.
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Haha that’s seriously fantastic.
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[…] if you’re interested in my thoughts about each book on the list, check out this post from earlier this year in which I discuss each […]
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[…] On this day in 2014 I published And the Most Banned Book of 2013 is…. […]
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