Past Questions



September 2008


Works by J.K. Rowling, William Shakespeare, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury and J. D. Salinger are among the many challenged or banned books in the U.S. Name up to three of your favorite books that are considered "controversial" by others.

The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
THE HANDMAID'S TALE by Margaret Atwood
THE GIVER by Lois Lowry

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Twilight Saga
CITY OF BONES

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TWILIGHT
THE GOLDEN COMPASSThe Harry Potter books

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THE OUTSIDERS by S. E. Hinton
As a whole, I enjoyed the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

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The Bible
Twilight
Breaking Dawn
Eclipse
New Moon

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Yeah, my Bible's "controversial" too, so I don't know if I could trust whomever bans the books in the first place. But, maybe it would be a good idea to have a 'banned' section at the library instead. That's what they do with movies.

The Bible
To Kill a Mockingbird

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LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding
FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee

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The Harry Potter series
His Dark Materials Series
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

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I love the Harry Potter books, the His Dark Materials trilogy, and too many others on the top 100 list to put here!

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The Harry Potter books, TTYL, and THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA.

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THE GIVER by Lois Lowry
His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman

I think teens should have the freedom to read what they want (if their parents approve, if it's necessary). We learn from reading, and some of the best selling authors are on the lists! J. D. Salinger? What's he on for? These authors are speaking their opinion and are trying to get it out to a younger generation. The fiction books that are on there bother me. They're fake, guys! Fake! This just gets to me. -_-

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My three favorite controversial books are Harry Potter, GO ASK ALICE, and CUT.

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My first favorite controversial books are HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, CUT, and ERAGON.

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1. CUT
2. Harry Potter
3. Skinny

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1. CUT
2. Harry Potter
3. SKINNY

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Any books in the Septimus Heap series and TWILIGHT

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Cruise control
Friday Night Lights

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Harry Potter series, Twilight Saga, Inheritance series

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Twilight
Eragon
Wicked

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TWILIGHT and NEW MOON and HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE.

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Twilight
Eclipse
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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Twilight, Septimus Heap series, and Harry Potter

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Friday Night Lights
Cruise Control
Juice

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Well, one of the books that I read was PERFECT by Natasha Friend and it is probably considered controversial because it deals with issues like bulimia and anorexia. Also, I read the book TTYL by Lauren Myracle and that might be considered controversial because it mentions and has a story line about some risque issues. Another controversial book that I read was THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS by Anne Brashares. There's some inappropriate language and some adult themes.

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Harry Potter was banned to watch when I was little because my parents said it has magical stuff, which Christians don't believe in. However, when my parents weren't at home and I watched the movie, it was just a classical good vs. bad. I think kids should have freedom to read any kind of book because parents are too careful about what kids read.

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And Tango Makes Three
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Beloved

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THE GIVER by Lois Lowery
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle

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THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
The Harry Potter series
To Kill a Mockingbird

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I don't understand why some of the books I've read are considered controversial. WHALETALK and STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES by Chris Crutcher are my favorite books of all time.They deal with real-life issues that you or a friend could go through. I also love that there is no fluff (covering up of what real people say or do). A lot of people (including people you love and care about) curse and do drugs and things that could harm their lives and sometimes you have to deal with it like the people in his books. Just because these things are wrong doesn't mean we should be "blinded" of them existing.
My third favorite controversial book is THE GIVER by Lois Lowry. I believe it is a form of entertainment and is not going to make people start a cult and kill children because of what goes on in this book. I think this book is well written and is a wonderful story and that is what it is a story.

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THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
Any of the seven Harry Potter books

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I love the whole Harry Potter series. I also like the Alice series by Phylis Reynolds Naylor and THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER was amazing.

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Catcher in the Rye
The Da Vinci Code

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ALWAYS RUNNING by Luis Rodrigeuz
THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Phillip Pullman
The Harry Potter series

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One of my all-time favorite series is Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials. I read them when I was a young girl and saw only a fun adventure with a strong female lead. Then I read them again when I was older and saw how much there was to all three of them!

Another book that was challenged last year was THE BERMUDEZ TRIANGLE by Maureen Johnson. She (along with us, her faithful blog readers) fought hard to keep the book ON the shelf, because ONE mother who had never read the book was upset by the idea of two girls kissing. Unfortunately, we did not get the ban lifted completely and it was put on the "Needs Parental Permission" shelf. But at least we got it from being taken away all together!

The majority of the books I read have been fought to be taken off shelves, and I don't think that says so much about me as it does about the people trying to ban. Banning is a horrible things, just because someone might not AGREE with the idea put forth in a book does not mean that they have the right to take away the chance for anyone to read it.

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The Giver
The Golden Compass 2) To Kill a Mockingbird

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It's Perfectly Normal

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His Dark Materials Trilogy - I loved those so much more than Lord of the Rings!
ANNIE ON MY MIND - It was a really touching book.

THE HUNGER GAMES - it's new, so it's hasn't gotten much controversy, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens when it gets more popular (which it definitely will) :)

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KEEPING YOU A SECRET by Julie Anne Peters. It is an amazing book about two teen girls in love.
CUT by Patricia Mccormick, A book about a 15-year-old girl who cuts herself. It helped me stop cutting myself.
Rainbow Boys series - challenged because of homosexuality.

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My favorite books that are banned are the Harry Potter series, FOREVER by Judy Blume, and THE FREEDOM WRITERS.

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Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
What My Mother Doesn't Know

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Looking for Alaska
Weetzie Bat
To Kill a Mockingbird

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SHE'S COME UNDONE by Wally Lamb
TITHE by Holly Black
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling

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1) Harry Potter
2) THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
3) THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

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1984 - George Orwell
A SEPARATE PEACE - John Knowles
THE GREAT GATSBY - F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Twilight
Harry Potter

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THE OUTSIDERS
Harry Potter
Scary Story
series

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Harry Potter
Romeo and Juliet

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The Dark Half
Someone Like You
Breaking Dawn

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- CRANK by Ellen Hopkins
- The Bluford High books
- PREY by Lurlene McDaniel

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Harry Potter
Demonata

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Harry Potter series, Inheritance Trilogy, and JURASSIC PARK

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The Harry Potter books
Anything by Stephen King
ASeries Of Unfortunate Events

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The Memory Keeper's Daughter
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Olive's Ocean

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The Memory Keeper's Daughter
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Olive's Ocean

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THREE
Star Wars

Redwall

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Eragon

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Ellen Hopkins's series: CRANK, GLASS, IMPULSE, etc
BOY TOY
FOREVER
The Color Me series

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Three books are: LORD LOSS, SLAWTER and BEC, all by Darren Shan

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The Harry Potter series, the Inheritance Trilogy, and JURASSIC PARK.

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Harry Potter
Series Of Unfortunate Events

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ERAGON
Harry Potter

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Thirteen Reasons Why
The Secret Life of Bees
Speak

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BOY TOY
Ellen Hopkins's series, CRANK, GLASS, etc.

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3 books are: LORD LOSS, SLAWTER, BEC, all by Darren Shan and are in his Demonata series

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Thirteen Reasons Why
Looking For J.J.
The Secret Life Of Bees

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Three of my favorite books that might be considered controversial are:
- A CHILD CALLED "IT"
- PRINCESS ON THE BRINK
- THE LOST BOY

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- BOY TOY
- The Color Me series: TORCH RED, BLADE SILVER, ROSE PINK, etc.
- PREY
- CRANK, GLASS, IMPULSE, BURN

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Julius Caesar
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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Forever
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Outsiders

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1. Fahrenheit 451
2. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

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The Golden Compass

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THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky
THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman
THE GIVER by Lois Lowry

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Farenhight 451
To Kill A Mockingbird

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Twilight Saga

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I love Harry Potter, THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, and Percy Jackson.

By the way, I think it's stupid to say what people can and can't read.

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1.) TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
2.) THE GIVER by Lois Lowry

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I think some books that people don't want me to read are:

1. SLAM
2. BOY TOY
3. CRANK

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Harry Potter
Romeo and Juliet
It

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A Child Called "It"
Cry Softly
The bible

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The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer
Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

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Harry Potter
THE BULLY
THE SECRET OF THE SHADOW

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Dragonrider
The Lord of the Flies
Sea of Trolls

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The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and GO ASK ALICE

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The Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Harry Potter, SALEM'S LOT, and THE SHINING

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Twilight Saga - People don't like vampires/werewolves
Harry Potter - magic
TTYL - it does have annoying slang

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Harry Potter, IT, Romeo and Juliet.

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The Harry Potter books, A CHILD CALLED "IT", and Romeo and Juliet.

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One book that might be considered controversial would be BREAKING DAWN by Stephenie Meyer. Another would be CRANK and BURNED by Ellen Hopkins.

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TWILIGHT, BREAKING DAWN, THE HOST, and Harry Potter books 1-7.

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MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Anything by Stephan King
THE PENNY

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Harry Potter
A CHILD CALLED "IT"
The Blueford series

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Harry Potter Series, Twilight series, and THE THIEF LORD

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- Harry Potter
- SABRIEL
- THE PENNY

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One would be the Twilight series and another would be ERAGON and the Clique series.

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Chamber of Secrets
Goblet of Fire
Order of the Phoenix

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The Harry Potter series
A Child Called "It" and the Clique series.

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Harry Potter
THE CHOCOLATE WAR
OLIVE'S OCEAN

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If my parents looked at what I read, they wouldn't let me read them! LOL.
Cirque Du Freak
DEMONTA
Anything by Darren shan!

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BOY TOY
Inheritance Series
Harry Potter

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The Clique series
LOST AND FOUND
THE NOTEBOOK

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SCAR TISSUE, Harry Potter, MALCOLM X.

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30 Days of Night
Cirque du Freak
Demonta

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Eragon
Last Shot
The Magician's Nephew

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BOY TOY, PERFECT and TTYL

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THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
THE CHOCOLATE WAR
Harry Potter

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Clique series
SHE SAID YES
Thomas the Tank Engine

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THE HEROIN DIARIES
Harry PotterTHE BEASTIES

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30 DAYS OF NIGHT, for violence and use of drugs and alcohol; YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE, for extreme use of drugs and alcohol and sexuality; and NAILED, for sexuality and drugs and alcohol.

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I would say that J. K. Rowling has written some questionable things in Harry Potter.

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Laurie Halse Anderson

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A-list
Gossip Girl

UNLEASHED

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Although it's not my favorite, GO ASK ALICE and the new book, 4 BLONDES by the writer who wrote SEX AND THE CITY is extremely inappropriate, I think.

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Go Ask Alice
Harry Potter
Eragon

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GO ASK ALICE
Harry Potter
CUT

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Go Ask Alice
Harry Potter
Cut

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Twilight
Old Willis Place

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Three controversial books I know of are THE CHOCOLATE WAR, OLIVE'S OCEAN, and I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS.

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I read Harry Potter, His Dark Materials Trilogy, and The Chronicles of Narnia

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Harry Potter
CUT
GO ASK ALICE

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Harry Potter, GO ASK ALICE, and THE GOLDEN COMPASS

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The Golden Compass
The Chocolate War
And Tango Makes Three

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I really liked the book THE LOVELY BONES, although it did have some bad language and was about a girl being raped. It also puts a strange picture of what heaven is in the reader's eyes and doesn't make it out to be what the Christen religion has found in the Bible. Also the Harry Potter books were about magic and evil, but I didn't find them as disturbing as THE LOVELY BONES was. The Harry Potter books and THE LOVELY BONES were a few of my favorite books, but you have to interpret them in a different perspective so you won't feel uncomfortable reading them.

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1. GO ASK ALICE
2. GREGOR THE OVERLANDER
3. A Series of Unfortunate Events

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Harry Potter series
THE GOLDEN COMPASS
The Chronicles of Narnia

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Go Ask Alice
Gegor the Overlander
Dream Catcher

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Cut
the Golden Compass
Keeping the Moon

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Good Girls
The Sledding Hill

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One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

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Crank
Glass
Impulse

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THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman
THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Of Mice and Men
Go Ask Alice
A Day No Pigs Would Die
To Kill a Mockingbird

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BURNED
KISS ME KILL ME
Harry Potter

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My Brother Sam is Dead
Fallen Angels
The Chocolate War

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Missing
I Am Not Who You Think I Am
That Was Then.

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Books that my parents wouldn't want me to read would be drinking books, books that have very bad language, and The Spiderwick Chronicles

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Gossip Girl
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Harry Potter

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I don't know any books that are controversial, and I don't like to read.

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Books that my parents don't like me reading are Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Twilight. They do let me read them but they do share there opinions about them.

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The Chocolate War
The Golden Compass
The Color Purple

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This Golden Compass
The Adventures of Hulkberry Finn
The Chocolate War

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Harry Potter
Some Steven King books
ERAGON

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The Color Purple

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The Color Purple
Olive's Ocean
ttyl

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I think all the books that are on the banned list should be adult books.

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Harry Potter
Some Steven King books
ERAGON

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Some books might be the ones that have sorcery and magic and witches in them, because some parents might think that the kids will actually start believing in witchcraft --- like the Harry Potter and Twilight books, which have a vampire in it, and INKHEART. That's why some people might think these books are controversial.

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Some books are INKHEART, TWILIGHT, and Harry Potter, because they all have witches, magic and/or kids who believe in things like that. Some parents don't want their kids to be reading those books because they don't want their kids believing in witchcraft.

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Harry Potter
CRACKBACK
DOGSONG

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I don't think these books should be banned. If it's to graphic, then it should be a more adult book for older people and not younger people. The three books I consider controversial are THE COLOR PURPLE, OLIVE'S OCEAN and I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS.

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A book I read that is controversial would be THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS, Harry Potter and the Christy Miller series.

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STUCK IN NEUTRAL
CRUISE CONTROL
Harry Potter

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Harry Potter, Gossip Girl, and THE BOY FROM THE BASEMENT

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Harry Potter,Gossip Girl, and THE DATING DIARIES

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THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier
OLIVE'S OCEAN by Kevin Henkes
IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL by Robie Harris

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THE ADVENURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN by Mark Twain
THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman
THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier

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THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLBERRY FINN by Mark Twain
THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Phillip Pullman
THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier

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The Chocolate War
Olivia's Ocean
The Wild

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

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Speak
Number the Stars
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
It's Perfectly Normal
ttyl
Tango Makes Three

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Harry Potter
Gossip Girl

The Clique

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Pendragon
Harry Potter
BRISINGR

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The Clique
Harry Potter
The A-list

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All of the Crique Du Freak and J. K. Rowling books, and also CATCH-22. But I don't know why!

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Paranoid Park
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Splinter Cell

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Tom Clancy's SPLINTER CELL, Artemis Fowl, and ONE FOR THE MONEY

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WAR HORSE
The Warriors series
THE GOLDEN COMPASS

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The three that I found were: IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL, TTYL, and THE CHOCOLATE WAR.

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I don't know the answer...

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High Heat

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Fallen Angels
The Beardless Warriors
It

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A Child Called "It"
From Pieces To Weight

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Lord Loss

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Harry Potter

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Harry Potter books 1-3

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A Child Called "It"

It

From Pieces to Weight

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Harry Potter

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A Child Called "It"
To Kill a Mockingbird

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Harry Potter books 1-3

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Pedals On the Wind
A Child Called "It"

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The Harry Potter series, SPEAK, and OLIVE'S OCEAN.

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HATCHET by Gary Paulsen and The Boxcar Children series

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Anything by Lurlene McDaniel

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Harry Potter
KILLING MR. GRIFFIN
THE GIVER

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TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer
ALL WE KNOW OF LOVE by Nora Baskin
BLUE SKY JULY by Nia Wyn
BOG CHILD by Siobhan Dowd

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

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BURNT ORANGE, BLADE SILVER, and Harry Potter

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THE BLACK TATTOO
Harry Potter
ERAGON

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TWILIGHT, the Harry Potter books, and ALONG CAME A SPIDER.

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And Tango Makes Three
The Chocolate War
Olive’s Ocean

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RAINBOW SIX is a book that would be considered controversial for many reasons, including violence and language, but it doesn't change me or my behavior.

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I really like THE CHOCOLATE WAR, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and THE COLOR PURPLE.

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THE DA VINCI CODE by Dan Brown
PET SEMATARY by Stephen King

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