ALA News "And Tango Makes Three..."

When reading this article, I can see why there is such thing as "Most Frequently Challenged" book list.  Although I do not have children, I feel that I would check out this list if my children expressed interest in a controversial book.  In the book And Tango Makes Three, there are 2 male Chinstrap Penguins from the Central Park Zoo that are formed as a couple and given an egg to raise.  This book has won many awards, but has also been at the center of debates.  It was the MOST challenged book in 2006, 2007, and 2008, slid to #2 in 2009, but is back to #1 in 2010.  In my own personal opinion, I feel that I would not read this book to my students, nor would I read it to my own personal children.

Controversial Books and what makes them so...

Young-adult fiction or young adult literature is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 14 to 21.

Controversial books are considered that way for several reasons:
1. Language
2. Setting
3. Drugs
4. Homosexuality
5. Pre-Marital Sex
And the list can go on and on!  I researched a list of current books that are on the Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books...and here are the top 3:

1. "And Tango Makes Three," by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

This true story of two male penguins who hatched an egg and raised a penguin chick in New York's Central Park Zoo has been regularly challenged and/or banned in numerous American libraries and schools ever since its 2005 publication. The reasons listed for the 2010 challenges are "homosexuality, religious viewpoint," and a belief that the book is "unsuited" for young readers.

2. "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian," by Sherman Alexie

This semi-biographical young adult book tells the story of a young native American trying to find his way through the overlapping white and Indian worlds that he inhabits. The reasons listed for the book's 2010 challenges are "offensive language, racism, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence." Alexie told The Washington Post that, "It almost makes me happy to hear books still have that kind of power. And there's nothing in my book that even compares to what kids can find on the Internet."

3. "Brave New World," by Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley's 1931 science fiction classic is no stranger to controversy. The reasons for the book's 2010 challenges include "insensitivity, offensive language, racism," and "sexually explicit" material.

“Requirements for Healthy Development of Adolescent Youth"

When I was 22 I was teaching a classroom full of 3rd graders...to think that I would be considered an adolescent is weird! I can relate to this article, because my parents took the same approach with me. They always made sure that I knew to pray and seek God's favor before ever making a decision. I know that they would make sure that I had the right tools to make the best decisions. Since I do not have kids, I would have to relate this to my students. I have learned to NOT ask, "Are you talking?" or "Are you touching?" Those are too specific and don't make the kids think about their actions. Now I ask, "Are you doing the right thing?" I feel that this way they are having to take inventory of what their actions are. It works wonderfully for my classroom!