Top 10 for 2007

The American Library Association (ALA) has released its list of the 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007.

And Tango Makes Three, written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell takes top spot for the second year in a row. This award-winning children’s book is about two male penguins caring for an orphaned egg, a story based on a true situation at New York's Central Park Zoo.

There are three books that are new to the list including:
Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
TTYL by Lauren Myracle

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. In 2007 the OIF received 420 reports on efforts to abolish materials from school curriculum and library bookshelves.

Below is the complete list and reasons cited:
1. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3. Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language

4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint

5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism

6. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7. TTYL by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit

9. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10. The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Author Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and Beloved which have been on the top ten list for many years have been bumped off by new challenges. Morrison's books have been challenged for sexual content and offensive language.