Couches, Controversies and The Boy Who Lived

For the last week or so, each night, I have been drawn to the couch to continue turning the pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. About two years ago, I read this entire series from beginning to end in the short time of September to Christmas.

For a recent school assignment, I was asked to pick a book off of the "Banned Book List". This list is full of titles that were challenged by people and/or organzations because they felt the content was not appropriate for teenage readers.

I was very surprised to find that the entire Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling is on that list. The series was challenged because it was thought to promote Witchcraft. I disagree with this of course (since I am one othe thousands of Harry Potter Lovers), but many people do believe these books should be taken off library shelves.

The following is a list of The Top 10 Banned Books:

1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin, Mark Twain
2. The Catcher and the Rye, J.D Salinger
3. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
4. Bridge to Teribithia, Katherine Paterson
5. Lord of the Flies, William Golding
6. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck
7. The Color Purple, Alice Walker
8. Harry Potter Series, J.K Rowling
9. Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut
10. The Bluest Eye, Tony Morrison

credit to: http://712educators.about.com/od/bannedbooks/tp/banned_books.htm

As you can see, many of these books are classics that have already been read by thousands of people. These books are ongoing controversies that never rest.

I would like to know your opinion! Post a comment, and have your say on the Banned Book List. For more information go to: ala.org (The American Library Association).