1. Goosebumps Series, ,by R.L. Stine. These imaginative children's books which include "scary stories" have been challenged in schools and libraries across the country. While some parents call for the removal of the books, many more parents have rallied to defend them.
2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. This classic has been the subject of debate since its publication in 1885. Upon publication, the book was banned and condemned across the country. It was called "rough, coarse and inelegant," unsuitable for "intelligent, respectable people." The irony is that the book that today is challenged as racist was originally attacked for being too anti-racist! There were complaints that the character of Jim was too heroic for a slave.
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou's autobiographical novel has increasingly been the focus of challenges in school libraries. Objections center on the description of a rape she suffered as a child.
4. It's Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris. This sex-education book has been challenged in school and public libraries across the country.
5. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier Robert Cormier's young adult novel has been the frequent target of challenges. It has been removed from middle school and high school libraries due to "language and sexual content."
6. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. Many feel that Holden Caulfield's teenage angst is too graphic for real teenagers. It has been challenged for graphic language since its publication.
7. Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson. This Newberry Award-winning book has been challenged and removed from classrooms and school libraries due to "profanity, disrespect of adults, and an elaborate fantasy world that might lead to confusion."
8. Forever, by Judy Blume. Judy Blume's work is often the focus of challenges, and this tale of a teenager's first sexual experience has been on the list of frequently-challenged books since its publication in 1975.
9. My Brother Sam is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. This Newberry Award-winning book, which tells the story of a family torn apart by the American Revolution, is the focus of complaints over violence and profanity.

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