Banned Books Week began in 1982 as a response to books being challenged by schools and libraries on the basis of objectionable content. Here, according to the American Library Association, are the most challenged books (out of the 513 books challenged) of 2008.
1. 'And Tango Makes Three' by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
© Simon & Schuster
Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group.
2. 'His Dark Materials' trilogy by Philip Pullman
© Alfred a Knopf
Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence
3. 'TTYL' 'TTFN' 'L8R, G8R' (series), by Lauren Myracle
© Harry N Abrams
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
4. 'Scary Stories' (series), by Alvin Schwartz
© Harpercollins Childrens Books
Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence
5. 'Bless Me, Ultima' by Rudolfo Anaya
© Grand Central Pub
Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence
6. 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky
© Mtv Books
Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group
7. 'Gossip Girl' (series) by Cecily von Ziegesar
© Poppy
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
8. 'Uncle Bobby's Wedding' by Sarah S. Brannen
© Putnam Pub Group
Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group
9. 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini
© Riverhead Books
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
10. 'Flashcards of My Life' by Charise Mericle Harper
© Little Brown & Co
Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group
