HP makes a different kind of list
We all love hearing how our favorite books (Harry Potter of course) keep making a new list. Favorite childrens' book, favorite adventure book, best-sellers' list. But now it's managed to make a different sort of list. This one? The top ten most 'challenged books' at the libraries. Sound a little odd? We all know that many books, including the Harry Potter series, get some of the less intelligent people of society trying to claim that it is actually bad or harmful for children and young people to read. But now there's been a list created. And where does Harry Potter come in? Second, according to a study by the American Library Association. This is the findings they put up:
Books most frequently challenged in 2003 at the nation's libraries
1. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's "Alice" series, for sexual content, using offensive language and being unsuited to age group.
2. J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, for its focus on wizardry and magic.
3. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, for offensive language.
4. "Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture" by Michael Bellesiles, for inaccuracy.
5. "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers, for racism, sexual content, offensive language, drugs and violence.
6. "Go Ask Alice" by Anonymous, for depictions of illicit drugs.
7. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris, for homosexuality, nudity, sexual content and sex education.
8. "We All Fall Down" by Robert Cormier, for offensive language and sexual content.
9. "King and King" by Linda de Haan, for homosexuality.
10. "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson, for offensive language and depictions of the occult and satanism.

It truly is a shame to see such ignorance running wild when people try and ban such books as Of Mice and Men; but here's to hoping there will always be enough people with common sense and willing to speak out. Don't forget to celebrate Banned Books Week!