Ten Banned Books: Cursing, Sex, and Religion
1. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part‑Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Why? Masturbation
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Why? Homosexuality, Drug use, and Sex
3.Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
Why? Sex and Cursing
4. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Why? Rape and Sex
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Why? Rape and Cursing
6. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Why? Depiction of Catholic Church
7. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Why? Racy
8. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Why? Homosexuality, Rape and Incest
9. The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
Why? The Occult
10. Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War by Mark Bowden
Why? Cursing
From this list, I can conclude that many Americans are afraid of Cursing, Sex and Religion. I am completely amazed how many times foul language comes up. You would think that the American teen had never heard any vulgar language. Hello, do parents listen to the radio these days??
Would you let your teenager read any of these novels? Why or why not? How do you feel about books being banned in public schools?
See the American Library Association’s list of 2009 Banned Books Here.
Love the list! And you’re right, how many kids never heard about any of these “issues” before reading a book!
Thanks for sharing the list! I’ve added a link to your blog from mine.
Take Care,
Suzanne
Chick with Books
Thank you for the link!
I keep thinking about the cursing in these banned books. I really don’t get why cursing is so bad.
This is a great list! Cursing goes on all day long, anywhere and everywhere. So many things are taboo and it makes me nauseous.
I think the key about most of the “reasons” for banning the books are examples of how adults fail to teach children when and where for those situations. Rape may be the only exception because that’s not self-inflicted/generated. That’s a whole other ideology.
I feel that many parents may be trying to overprotect their children and in the end that may be hurting them more than exposing them to it (then using that as a “teaching moment”). You are right…that could definitely be an entire discussion in itself!
Great list! Being overprotective is not helping kids in the long run. Better for them to be exposed to things in a safe environment where they can talk about it then wait for them to encounter it on their own. Of course, it all comes down to values too, and some people thinking certain normal facts of life are evil or wrong.
Hi Tracey!
I know that there are many churches that suggest people do not read certain books (for example, The Golden Compass) because they think that they are “evil” books. I think it is a pity because I think it could be a great teaching tool to affirm your faith. I highly doubt that someone of faith is going to read The Golden Compass and then not believe in God.
It shows you how powerful the written word is and what people do with that power is very interesting and says so much about how they act in their own life.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
That amazed me – out of the books you show here I have read three of them. AND – for the most part, LOVED them. In fact, when yo have My Sisters Keeper on here I coudn’t think of anything in the book.
Shocking.
Honestly, I couldn’t think of anything in My Sister’s Keeper either, besides the topic being very controversial and may make kids wonder why their parents had them