Top 10 Challenged Books

     After reading about challenged books in libraries I must admit I never really considered both sides.  As a parent of a young adult I had quesrioned some of the graphic novels he was reading.  I did not like the "graphic" pictures in some of them.  I also did not really want him reading the Goosebumps series.  I actually asked the librarian if she had seen some of these books and she said yes, but the kids really like reading them and that was her answer.  I didn't really push the issue, I just guided my son in what I didn't want him reading alone and if he really wanted to read the material we could read it together.  As his parent I don't have to defend my reasons for not wanting him to read something (he won't sleep after reading scary stuff), but I also don't have to push my thoughts onto others. 
     I think that was the greatest thing I learned from this class and assignment.  The right to read the material is necessary.  There will always be someone that is offended.  I found 2 quotes which really put the challenged books situation into perspective for me. 

                     

             “If librarianship is the connecting of people to ideas—and I believe that is the truest definition of what we do—it is crucial to remember that we must keep and make available, not just good ideas and noble ideas, but bad ideas, silly ideas, and yes, even dangerous or wicked ideas.”

                                                                            Graceanne Decandido

“If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.

                                                                Benjamin Franklin