Banned books, also known as challenged books are books that someone has thought was inappropriate to be in the library. According to the ALA the most frequent reasons given for challenging books in a library or school are: 1) material that is "sexually explicit," 2) material that contains "offensive language," 3) materials that are "unsuited to any age group." Books are challenged often but many of the challenges do not resolve in actual banning of the book or its removal from the library, although at times it does.
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeline L'Engle
This story is about Meg Murry, a girl from a family of gifted scientists. Her father has been missing for over a year. A strange woman named Mrs. Whatsit arrives at her house one evening and tells Meg’s mother about the tesseract, a wrinkle in space and time. Meg, her brother Charles, and their friend Calvin embark on a journey in search of Mr. Murry. Mrs. Whatsit and her friends Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which tell the children the world is threatened by an evil called the Dark Thing. Mr. Murry has been trapped on the planet Camazotz, which has been taken over by the evil force of the Dark Thing. The three women transport the children to Camazotz to search for Mr. Murry. The entire planet is controlled by the IT, which is a giant pulsating brain. Charles leads them to Mr. Murry, and he saves Meg and Calvin from being controlled by the IT. Charles is now a prisoner of Camazotz. Meg is able to overcome the power of the IT by focusing on her love for her brother. He is released from the control of the IT, and they tesser back home. This is a wonderful story of the power of love mixed in with extremely creative science ficiton. Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: 4.7
Lexile: 740
Whale Talk
by Chris Crutcher
This is a very accessible book for teenagers as it is about life in high school and about fitting in. The Tao Jones (that is his name, The is his first name - he goes by TJ) is the narrator and main character - a Black kid in small town Idaho where he has to deal with racism on a fairly daily basis. He is adopted by white parents who are very special and unique characters themselves. TJ attends Cutter High School and the most important thing at Cutter High is being a part of a sports team and earning a letterman jacket. TJ is probably the best athlete at the school, but refuses to be a part of the "jocks" who he sees as bullies. He has some first hand experience with this bullying. When Coach Simet comes to him wanting to start a swim team TJ sees this as an opportunity to get a bunch of misfits together and shake up the athletics of Cutter High. There are many unique characters throughout this book and you find yourself rooting for many and really disliking a few others.
Suggested grade level:
Reading level: 6.6
Lexile: 1000
Jessica Schmitz
The Color Purple The Color Purple is the story of two African American sisters, who are separated when they are ripped apart by Celie's husband. Celie is the narrator of this story, first through letter that she writes to God, and later to Nettie. When they are separated, Nettie, becomes a missionary in Africa. Throughout the story, Celie is abused, physically and sexually, by different men and has no self worth. She finds her self worth through the help of Shug, who teaches her about God, love and sexuality. Celie goes on to revolt again Mr. ___, her husband, and becomes a seamstress. She then inherites her childhood home, and returns together with her sister and long-lost children. Reading level: Young Adult Lexile: 670 Reviewed by Arlette Leyva
by Alice Walker