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According to the American Library Association, Bless Me, Ultima was one of the most frequently challenged books of the '90s. While that's probably not considered a compliment, per se, at least it means people are paying attention.
Check out the full list of 100, which also includes the Harry Potter series (naturally), A Wrinkle In Time, The Outsiders and To Kill a Mockingbird. Not even Roald Dahl is safe!
(Photo by ugaldew at stock.xchng)
Dave Rosenthal came to The Baltimore Sun as a business reporter in 1987 and now is the Maryland Editor. He reads a wide range of books (but never as many as he'd like), usually alternating between non-fiction and fiction. Some all-time favorites: A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole; Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery; and anything by Calvin Trillin or John McPhee. He belongs to a book club with a Jewish theme. 
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All you need to know about the macabre master including Poe-themed events, photos, video and a trivia quiz.
Comments
Could you define terms, here? By "challenge" I took you to mean that someone, somewhere felt these books needed to fall onto a censor's list...and I'd heard rumors that Judy Blume was not always well-received, but not only have I read many of this Top 100 list, but I forced my kids to read a lot of them during their summer vacations! (The kid who complained nonstop about having to waste a summer on "Brave New World", "Animal Farm" and "1984" discovered Hunter S. Thompson and Kurt Vonnegut all by himself.)
Posted by: Eve | May 13, 2008 1:18 PM
According to the site, anyone can challenge a book -- schools, churches, parents or even someone who is just concerned about the content. And you're right, nearly every one of Judy Blume's books were challenged by someone, somewhere.
The interesting part is that the trend is moving toward localized challenges. Instead of the mass protests against the Harry Potter series, you're getting a few individuals who want to block access to a certain book in their library.
Posted by: Nancy Johnston | May 13, 2008 1:28 PM
Do you have any faves on the challenged list?
Posted by: mary | May 13, 2008 2:11 PM
Hi guys!
I'm new here. I've accidentally found this interesting site and took decision to sign up here!
I hope we'll communicate with each other nicely! So this is my first post!
Posted by: BlosowsArtert | November 3, 2008 11:04 PM