Banning books today and ‘The Chocolate War’

Published 7:29 pm Thursday, September 15, 2005

By Staff
Sept. 23-30 is Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read. Observed since 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. Niles District Library will be celebrating with special displays.
Robert Cormier's "The Chocolate War" tops the list of most challenged books of 2004, according to the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom. The book drew complaints from parents and others concerned about the book's sexual content, offensive language, religious viewpoint and violence. This year marks the first in five in which the Harry Potter series does not top or appear on the ALA's annual list.
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 547 challenges last year. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.
"With several news reports just in the past week of books like "Bless Me, Ultima," by Rudolfo Anaya being removed from schools, we must remain vigilant," said ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano. "Not every book is right for every person, but providing a wide range of reading choices is vital for learning, exploration and imagination. The abilities to read, speak, think and express ourselves freely are core American values."
Anaya's award-winning book was banned from the curriculum in Norwood High School, Colo., for offensive language. Young adult novelist Chris Crutcher's books also have come under fire in Kansas, Alabama and Michigan this year.
Three of the 10 books on the "Ten Most Challenged Books of 2004" were cited for homosexual themes - which is the highest number in a decade. Sexual content and offensive language remain the most frequent reasons for seeking removal of books from schools and public libraries. The books, in order of most frequently challenged, are:
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier for sexual content, offensive language, religious viewpoint, being unsuited to age group and violence
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers, for racism, offensive language and violence
Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture by Michael A. Bellesiles, for inaccuracy and political viewpoint
Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey, for offensive language and modeling bad behavior
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, for homosexuality, sexual content and offensive language
What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones, for sexual content and offensive language
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak, for nudity and offensive language
King &King by Linda de Haan and Stern Nijland, for homosexuality
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, for racism, homosexuality, sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, for racism, offensive language and violence