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100 most frequently banned books

100 most frequently banned books. Twain, Angelou, Steinbeck, Blume, and Salinger are all in the top 20.

Reader comments

anthonyOct 01, 2004 at 9:21AM

we must protect our children from the evil that is where's waldo

JoelOct 01, 2004 at 11:38AM

I actually agree with The Anarchist's Cookbook being on the list, surprised at a lot of the others though!

Will FitzgeraldOct 01, 2004 at 4:49PM

"Challenged" not "banned."

NataliOct 01, 2004 at 4:54PM

I'm disappointed to only have read 13 of those books.

BrendaOct 05, 2004 at 9:31PM

I was surprised to find several of the books I'd loved as a child on that list. Bridge to Terabithia, The Giver, The Outsiders.I guess I get The Outsiders, because it deals with crime and whatever, but the other two really puzzle me.

GirmaOct 07, 2004 at 5:11PM

Scary Stories? People really give a damn about horror stories geared towards children? I remember seeing those in a Scholastic newsletter in grade school.

MiaOct 13, 2004 at 4:08PM

some of these books i can understand, but some are books that kids need to read. and many books on this
list are actually requiered books at my school. after reading the list, my friend began cursing extensively.

KZOct 13, 2004 at 4:12PM

I for one strongly oppose this list. A few of the books are understandable, but most are part of America's
culture. Just because a few deal with tempermental issues they are challenged or banned. As for Harry Potter
all i can say is that kids are not going to go out and become satanists from a childrens novel. I was tempted
though to search for a book mentioned about evil hexes to be used on enemies.

JonasNov 15, 2004 at 10:09PM

hey im 15 and i thingk that we should be told to read banned books. that what my school is doing and im reaching why some of the books have been banned or challeged.

PSDec 05, 2004 at 2:03PM

By banning these books it just makes people want to read them more. I know I do.

This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.