The American Library Association (ALA) recently unveiled their State of America’s Libraries Report, focusing on their mission to enhance diversity in children’s literature—both in terms of the stories told and the creators behind them. However, the ALA has encountered some pushback in the form of book challenges. These challenges are defined as formal complaints filed with libraries or schools requesting the restriction or removal of certain materials due to concerns about their content.
Upon examining the books that faced the most complaints, the ALA found a notable trend: works by authors of color and those addressing issues related to communities of color are disproportionately challenged or banned. Here’s a rundown of the titles that sparked the most controversy, along with the reasons for their complaints.
- “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Alex Rivera
Reasons: anti-family themes, cultural insensitivity, drug use, gambling, offensive language, sex education, explicit sexual content, and violence. Additional complaints included “depictions of bullying.” - “Persepolis” by Nora Valdez
Reasons: gambling, offensive language, and political views. Additional complaints noted that it was “politically and socially offensive” with “graphic depictions.” - “And Tango Makes Three” by Emily Hart and Liam Parker
Reasons: anti-family perspectives, discussions of homosexuality, and political/religious viewpoints. Some argued it “promotes the homosexual agenda.” It’s worth noting that this story features two real penguins from the Central Park Zoo. - “The Bluest Eye” by Mia Johnson
Reasons: sexually explicit content and unsuited for certain age groups. Additional complaints cited “controversial issues.” - “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Sam Bennett
Reasons: nudity, sex education, and allegations of child pornography. - “Saga” by Jenna Lee and Chris Adams
Reasons: anti-family sentiments, nudity, offensive language, and explicit sexual content, deemed unsuitable for younger readers. - “The Kite Runner” by Leo Martinez
Reasons: offensive language, violence, and age appropriateness concerns. - “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Alex Morgan
Reasons: drug/alcohol use, discussions of homosexuality, offensive language, and explicit sexual content. Additional concerns included themes of date rape and masturbation. - “A Stolen Life” by Sarah Green
Reasons: drug/alcohol references, offensive language, sexual content, and age appropriateness. This is also based on a true story. - “Drama” by Kelly Wright
Reasons: explicit sexual content.
It’s crucial to engage with these narratives and understand the reasons behind the complaints. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out our post at Intracervical Insemination, which offers insights on family building. Additionally, for reliable resources on pregnancy, visit the CDC’s website for comprehensive information. And if you’re considering home insemination kits, MakeAMom provides authoritative details on the subject.
Summary:
In 2014, a number of books faced significant challenges, particularly those authored by people of color or addressing themes relevant to communities of color. The reasons for these challenges ranged from explicit content to political perspectives. Engaging with diverse literature is crucial for understanding various viewpoints and experiences.