American Library Association releases list of 'Most Complained Books'
KMOV.com
Posted on April 14, 2014 at 8:49 AM
The potty humor of "Captain Underpants" children's books and the mature exploration of race and family violence by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison in "The Bluest Eye" would seem to have little in common.
But among some parents, educators and other members of the general public who worry about what books are stocked at their local libraries, the works fall into the same category — they're just too offensive and should be restricted or removed from the shelves.
The American Library Association published its annual "State of the Libraries" report Sunday, which included its list of works most frequently "challenged" last year at schools and libraries.
Dav Pilkey's best-selling picture book series topped the list, just as his "Captain Underpants" did in 2012. The reasons cited included "offensive language" and material unsuited for its targeted age group.
"The Bluest Eye," Morrison's first novel, was runner-up, also criticized for language, along with violence and sexual content. Sherman Alexie's prize-winning "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," a perennial on the list, was No. 3, for reasons including drug references, sexual content and racism.
Pilkey said in a statement issued by his publisher, Scholastic Inc., that he found it surprising "that a series with no sex, no nudity, no drugs, no profanity and no more violence than a Superman cartoon has caused such an uproar.
"Of course, only a tiny percentage of adults are complaining. Kids love the books, and fortunately most parents and educators do, too," he said. American Library Association releases list of 'Most Complained Books' | KMOV.com St. Louis: