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Potter series tops list of most challenged books 
SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 at 2:08 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: ALA via Yahoo! News
As we enter into the 25th anniversary of Banned Books Week (September 23-30), the American Library Association (ALA) has published a list of the most challenged
books in the last five years and the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling is at the number one spot.
Rounding out the top 10 banned books:
Reader Comments (180)
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Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4479
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Most challenged? Seriously? The Count of Monte Cristo is harder to understand than Harry Potter!
~Drish~
Posted Sep 28, 2006 at 7:18 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4241
PowerGranger says:
Gah! I have a button that says "I read banned books" that I got in college that I should dig up for this week. We all know how ridiculous it is for these books to be banned from some libraries and schools in the U.S. I'm sure there are tons of books out there that might make me squirm for one reason or another, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't want anyone else to read them if he or she chose.
Posted Sep 28, 2006 at 11:41 PM EST
Princess of Fantasy
Points: 2537
magiclover13 says:
Yay! Go HP! :D
Captain Underpants?!?... *cough* ;D
Posted Sep 29, 2006 at 3:10 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1970
Jekca says:
Captain Underpants? Ok. I expected to see, oh maybe really contraversial books, not stupid stuff. Frankly where is Cather in the Rye? That book is trash, but I don't think any book should be banned.
It's the parents responsibility to work with their children and decide what is appropriate and inappropiate, and frankly these books are better than Goosebumps sillyness. (HP I mean).
Silly.
Posted Sep 29, 2006 at 11:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 633
snakeeyes says:
Well, that's sort of a backhanded compliment really, isn't it? I mean it wouldn't be banned in these places if people didn't think it powerful enough to have undue influence on people. I have read Of Mice and Men as well, and it is safe to say that HP is at least in company with some other very good books.
Posted Sep 29, 2006 at 4:22 PM EST
Haldir's Horcrux
Points: 6198
Corvis says:
Ok, Alvin Schwartz's stories still give me nightmares. There are two in particular I remember. But I wouldn't ban them. What's scary is the fact that they're trying to deter kids from sitting around *gasp* reading ghost stories at a party with that one...
Posted Sep 29, 2006 at 8:45 PM EST
Witch
Points: 869
kat_snowyowl says:
What about 'The Day My Bum Went Psycho'?
Not surprised. All the crazy extremists. No offence, but having a go at Harry Potter is a bit pointless.
Posted Sep 30, 2006 at 6:27 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1429
Wulfric_Brian says:
The banned books list is so ridiculous. The majority of these books are amazing works of literature (especially HP!) and Scary Stories by Schwartz? I read those when I was seven, there's no reason for them to be banned!
Posted Sep 30, 2006 at 1:55 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 480
Geowitch says:
It is really discusting that there are people out there who would try to deny access to certain books. It chills me to the bone. I would be proud to be JKR sitting on the top of that list but I would also be sickened by it too.
Posted Oct 1, 2006 at 6:39 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9722
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
I can't exactly say I'm surprised to hear that. Some people just seem to have a thing against the HP books and try banning it from libraries. All it does is makes the books bigger (if that's even possible). It's just like when Umbridge banned the Quibbler in OotP.
The only other book on that list I've read is Of Mice and Men.
Posted Oct 4, 2006 at 5:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 966
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
Seriously this people are so twisted I mean Cpt. Underpants?!?! Come on! This is ridiculous.
Posted Oct 4, 2006 at 11:52 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2325
mad_eye muggle says:
WoW!that'sgreat HP in on number one.Wish I could have the chance to read the other books.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 2:32 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4414
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
Hahaha~! HP is number one!! THis is really dumb that you ban books when people took all their time and wrote a book and you just ban it....
~MP~
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:52 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2463
undisputed760 says:
I dont think they should ban any books from librarys. I can understand mabye if parents dont want their kids reading sex books but their gonna learn sometime. It just makes me angry that they ban books.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 7:31 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 442
dalishka says:
WHAT!!!!????.... Harry potter on top of the banned books list.... Im sick of this.... Harry potter is not bad nor is it challenging... I consider it to be inspirational... It gave me the feeling that I could do amazing things too not just adults.... Have this people even read the books and actually analize it... Because it sounds as if they just read and critize and discriminate just because the book has a littlle magic in it.....
Posted Oct 10, 2006 at 6:39 PM EST
Student
Points: 216
PadmeAmidala says:
All I can say is "HAHAHA! They're just jealous because Harry Potter Books are a big hit and sensational". J.K Rowling is a good writer and I don't see any point of Banning her books. besides it's just fiction. And it's nice to have a creative mind. ^_^
Posted Oct 10, 2006 at 8:52 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2745
Chogiiiirl says:
How funny! Our public library recently initiated the challenge to read a banned book for Banned Books Week! Of course, HP is at the top of the list. It just makes it that much more interesting to read!
Posted Oct 11, 2006 at 12:11 PM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29050
Thestral Eyes says:
Not suprising. America is a nation of fanatics it seems lately. Why so many people complain about a fictional book baffels me. Probably because america is a predominantly highly christian country. Must realy bug the non fanatics there. Giving their country a bad rep.
Lets just wait till His Dark Materials comes out in cinemas...bet that will be up there in a few years too. Already got american religious types complaining about it and making hate sites on it *shakes head*
Go harry potter! *laughs*
Posted Oct 15, 2006 at 10:37 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1188
SlytherinJen76 says:
I bet the people that wanted those books on that list haven't read a single one of them. I am going to see if any of those are available at my local library.
Posted Oct 20, 2006 at 9:54 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1945
Carrie Weasley says:
My english teacher told us about this list. No one in the class seemed very surprised to hear HP was at the top. I'm not surprised, but a little tired of the whole controversy with magical references in books being seen as bad. At least it doesn't effect me, though.
Posted Oct 21, 2006 at 1:12 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2515
Mystique says:
I still can’t understand why anyone would want to ban the Harry Potter series… I mean, what’s so objectionable about them? Yeah they’ve got magic in them, but so do fairy tales and I don’t see anyone banning them!
Posted Oct 23, 2006 at 1:01 PM EST
Hobbit at Heart
Points: 2775
DangerousBookworm says:
That figures. People flip out when anything is like this...except when the author goes public with his/her imagery, like Lewis did. But still, this is only a few people doing it, not everybody.
Posted Dec 20, 2006 at 9:50 AM EST
Witch
Points: 626
Crookshanks535 says:
I hate the whole idea of banned books. And there is a sort of hypocrisy about it, too. Who gets to decide what is bannable from schools? At one time Little House on the Prairie has been banned! If you want to look for it, you can find something to complain about in every book. I mean, that's life. Some people complain about religious books, then others complain about books that are NOT religious. You can't please everyone.
Posted Dec 27, 2006 at 9:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 542
Tara Piglet says:
That is a load of dung bombs!!!!!!!! It's like they are trying to discourage kids from reading them by labeling them difficult. God, they are the easiest books to read ever.... well the first one at least. I think it's safe to say I speek for Rowling when I say I don't like most of the books up there. Judy Blume, though she writes things a bit grown up, is at least trying to write things kids can relate to when things get difficult. The rest... well, pew.
Posted Jan 15, 2007 at 6:15 PM EST
Student
Points: 255
half*blood*princess says:
If you dont want your kid to read a book then you dont get it for them - simple as that... there is nothing wrong with HP it encourages a child to use their imagination and get lost in a world of fantasy...who wouldnt want that? it is ridiculus! i have also heard of churches trying to ban it because apparently whitchery and wizardry is "evil" and they did not want children to think that it was a good thing... they can decide for them selves what they want to believe... jk shouldnt get a hard time for writing these books... what really should be banned from children is swearing, violent and sexual books and tv which currently is displayed quite often in their lives! now thats off my chest haha
Posted Feb 6, 2007 at 5:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 626
Crookshanks535 says:
Well of course the HP books would join the club. It is NOT funny to read lists of banned or challenged books over the years- you'll see Little House on the Prairie for Pete's Sake. Is there truly a child's book out there that can please everyone? My neighbor is a grandmother to quite a few grandchildren and she just told me she's proud of her smart grandson who just finished The Lord of The Rings at his age. I asked if he liked Harry Potter then, and she said Absolutely not, he is not allowed near those books, they are the devil. Lord trilogy was ok but somehow Harry Potter is demonic because of the magic? Do they not know what the ring is? I want to ask how they feel, then, about Narnia- Narnia is probably ok too. They have not even opened the first Harry Potter book- they read news such as this and make assumptions and don't even let the boy check them out. So sad.
Posted Mar 21, 2007 at 3:00 AM EST
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