ALA's Most Challenged Books of 2009!

Most Challenged Books of 2009

In anticipation of Banned Book Week later in the year, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom has released the books that received the most formal complaints within libraries and schools for 2009.

“Even though not every book will be right for every reader, the ability to read, speak, think and express ourselves freely are core American values,” said Barbara Jones, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “Protecting one of our most fundamental rights – the freedom to read – means respecting each other’s differences and the right of all people to choose for themselves what they and their families read.”

And the winners are:

1.) “TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle

2.) And Tango Makes Three” by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

3.) “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky

4.) “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee

5.) Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer

6.) “Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger

7.) “My Sister’s Keeper,” by Jodi Picoult

8.) “The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things,” by Carolyn Mackler

9.) “The Color Purple,” Alice Walker

10.) “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier

For the reasons behind the complaints on these books, take a peek at the official article.

Also be sure to check out the Top 100 Challenged Books of the Decade.

For more information about Banned Books Week, the OIF, and how you can get involved, make sure to visit their official site.