Controversies+with+Young+Adult+Literature

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//Cathy Cooksey //

//The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn//, //The Catcher in the Rye//, //The Giver//, //Bridge to Terabithia// and the Harry Potter series have two things in common: the first being they are considered to be Young Adult Literature and the second is that they are some of the most controversial books to be banned from libraries.

While there are many Young Adult books that parents do not question the morals of, there are just as many books that adults find too controversial due to the subjects brought up in the stories. In order to ban a book, a group of people or an organization, must challenge the place where the book is held, a library or the school’s curriculum for example, in order for it to be removed. If the challenge is successful, then the book will be banned.

The Harry Potter series is constantly being challenged due to the dispute it creates with traditional Christian beliefs.

In Berit Kjos’s article “Bewitched by Harry Potter,” he talks about how the witchcraft in the series teaches children there are other gods to believe in and in the end, the Harry Potter series makes children believe in an occult.

“Harry Potter may conquer evil forces with witchcraft, but in the real spiritual world, no pagan power can counter the frightening consequences of dealing with demons. Only God can. (Kjos)”

Magic and the supposedly promotions of Satanism is just a few of the many reasons that a book can be challenged. The following is a list of the top 10 controversial books, banned for different reasons.


 * 1) //The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn//. Banned from both libraries and school’s curriculum because of the book’s use of racial terms.
 * 2) //The Chocolate War//. Banned because a scene involving masturbation, violence and swear words.
 * 3) //And Tango Makes Three//. Banned for its insinuation that the two penguins are homosexual.
 * 4) //Scary Stories Series//. Banned due to the violence and the supposedly promotions of Satanism.
 * 5) The Harry Potter Series. Banned because groups claim J.K. Rowling promotes occult and Satanism.
 * 6) //The Color Purple//. Banned from libraries because of the use of too much graphic violence and sexuality.
 * 7) //The Giver//. Banned for the plot use of euthanasia and suicide.
 * 8) //Bridge to Terabithia//. Similar to the controversies of the Harry Potter series, it was banned because of the references to magic, spells and supposedly promotion of Satanism.
 * 9) //The Catcher in the Rye//. Banned due to the references of suicide, profanity and the inappropriate behavior of the protagonist.
 * 10) //I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.// Banned for the author's graphic account of being raped as a young girl, proganity and drug use.

 While some organizations are trying to censor certain books because of the content, groups like the American Library Association (ALA) condemn the idea of banning books. In the article, “The Freedom to Read Statement,” the ALA states that by censoring books that do not follow traditional morals, educators are not teaching children to think analytically.

“Parents and teachers have a responsibility to prepare the young to meet the diversity of experiences in life to which they will be exposed, as they have a responsibility to help them learn to think critically for themselves. These are affirmative responsibilities, not to be discharged simply by preventing them from reading works for which they are not yet prepared. In these matters values differ, and values cannot be legislated; nor can machinery be devised that will suit the demands of one group without limiting the freedom of others. (ALA)”

The ALA is also supporting Banned Book Week, where authors like Cecily von Ziegesar (Gossip Girl) and Lauren Myracle (ttyl) talk to the audience about challenged and banned books. media type="youtube" key="eLprbWMd8mM" height="325" width="540" Young Adult Literature touches on subjects that most parents do not feel comfortable having their children reading about. The different subjects of sex, religion and violence maybe too risky for teenagers to read; however, these hot topics are exactly what defines Young Adult Literature from other types of books. To say Young Adult novels do not have controversy surrounding them is saying that the books do not belong in the Young Adult section.

=Bibliography= Lancto, Craig. //[|Banned Books: How Schools Restrict the Reading of Young People].// //The World & I.// Web. 2003//.// 20 June 2010.

//Censored Books in the USA//. Web. 20 June 2010.<[]>

Kjos, Berit. //Spiritual Life - Bewitched by Harry Potter. The Christian Broadcasting System.// Web. 20 June 2010. <[]>

Crown, Sarah. [|//Teen Spirit//]. //The Guardian.// Web. 20 June 2010.

Roberts, Gregory. //'Huck Finn' a masterpiece -- or an insult.// //SeattlePi.// Web. 26 Nov. 2003. 20 June 2010. <[]>

//Most Controversial Books Ever Banned by Libraries.// //Educational-Portal.// Web. 20 May 2008. 20 June 2010. <[]>

//Freedom to Read Statement. American Library Association.// Web. 30 June 2004. 20 June 2010. <[]>