Banned Books Week
by Powell's Staff, September 26, 2015 8:30 AM
For Banned Books Week this year, we combed through hundreds of records of challenged materials reported by Oregon schools and libraries over the past 35 years. In the process, we came across some surprising, amusing, and, at times, weirdly specific arguments for banning books. Here are 10 particularly strange reasons that demonstrate how absurd it is to let an individual or group determine what books are available to all of us. Note: in most cases, the books were not ultimately removed, but in two instances, the outcome was undocumented. ÷ ÷ ÷ |
 | "Use of aliens to present weather information." The Book: Earth Weather, as Explained by Professor Xargle by Jeanne Willis Where It Was Challenged: Multnomah County Library Date: 1998 Full Grievance: "Use of aliens to present weather information; inappropriate for children under 8 years old." Outcome: Retained by library. |  | "Conjugal love between mice." The Book: Abel's Island by William Steig Where It Was Challenged: Fairfield Elementary School in Eugene Date: 1994 Full Grievance: "Violence and mention of conjugal love between mice." Outcome: Retained by school. |  | "Scary clowns." The Book: I Spy Fun House by Jean Marzollo Where It Was Challenged: Gladstone Public Library Date: 2002 Full Grievance: "Scary clowns." Outcome: Retained by library. |  | "May result in confusion and stupidity." The Book: The Dumb Bunnies Go to the Zoo by Dav Pilkey Where It Was Challenged: An Oregon public library Date: 2012 Full Grievance: "Concern that reading this book may result in confusion and stupidity." Outcome: Retained by library. |  | "Description of a witch's face distasteful and insensitive." The Book: Witches by Roald Dahl Where It Was Challenged: Dallas Elementary School library Date: 1991 Full Grievance: "Book does not uphold ORS mandate that schools emphasize instruction in ethics and morality; portrays degrading and demoralizing identity for a child; description of witch's face distasteful and insensitive; undermines child's faith and trust in women." Outcome: Retained by school library. |  | "Use of an amulet to prevent pregnancy." The Books: Song of the Lioness, Books 1-3 by Tamora Pierce Where It Was Challenged: David Hill Elementary School in Hillsboro Date: 1989 Full Grievance: "Sexual references and the use of an amulet to prevent pregnancy." Outcome: Removed by a library staff member but later returned to the shelves. |  | "Body parts in potions." The Book: Black Magic, White Magic by Gary Jennings Where It Was Challenged: Green Acres Elementary School in Lebanon Date: 1998 Full Grievance: "History of witchcraft; body parts in potions; discussion of witches as a religion." Outcome: Unknown. |  | "Not suitable for 4-Hers researching how to raise hogs." The Book: The Hog Book by William Hedgepeth Where It Was Challenged: Douglas County Library System Date: 1991 Full Grievance: "Profanity; smutty humor and mention of condoms; not suitable for 4-Hers researching how to raise hogs." Outcome: Retained by library. |  | "Blood of serpents." The Book: The Porcelain Cat by Michael Hearn Where It Was Challenged: Bend–La Pine School District Date: 1990 Full Grievance: "Witch theme and blood of serpents." Outcome: Retained by school. |  | "Teenagers already have trouble with their emotions without being stimulated by poorly written books." The Books: More than 50 Harlequin romances were threatened with removal Where They Were Challenged: Glide High School library Date: 1984 Full Grievance: "Teenagers already have trouble with their emotions without being stimulated by poorly written books." Outcome: Unknown. |
Based on published reports from the American Library Association, the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse, and other news sources.
Also by Powell's Staff: 30 Books Challenged in Oregon |
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