Banned/Challenged Books

I saw someone else post a list like this recently and it made me think about books. I found this list of the most challeged books from 1990-2000 on the American Library Association website. These are the books challenged in the US.

I've bolded the ones that I've read, and there is one in italics that I own but have not read yet. Some of these books stand our vividly in my mind--even 25 years later--with images that I can still see. Some are just stories that I read and filed away.

I've been reading again lately, so books have been on my mind.


Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
Forever by Judy Blume
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Giver by Lois Lowry
It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Sex by Madonna
Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
The Witches by Roald Dahl
The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
The Goats by Brock Cole
Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
Blubber by Judy Blume
Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
Final Exit by Derek Humphry
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
What's Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
The Pigman by Paul Zindel
Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
Deenie by Judy Blume
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
Cujo by Stephen King
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
Ordinary People by Judith Guest
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
What's Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
Fade by Robert Cormier
Guess What? by Mem Fox
The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Native Son by Richard Wright
Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women's Fantasies by Nancy Friday
Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
Jack by A.M. Homes
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
Carrie by Stephen King
Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
Family Secrets by Norma Klein
Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
Private Parts by Howard Stern
Where's Waldo? by Martin Hanford
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
Sex Education by Jenny Davis
The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

In the last week . . .

I worked on my lace:

I took a walk in Gloucester:

and Rockport:

I went letterboxing, to find the dragons:

I received a lovely swap package!!

FO--a long time coming

Finally finished the sweater. I blocked it last night, and it was (mostly) dry today. Dry enough to take some pictures at least. Here it is:

Fair Isle Yoke cardigan

Pattern: Fair Isle Yoke Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Made for me!

Size 38 inch chest

Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm US 2½ / 3.0 mm

Yarn: Harrisville Designs New England Shetland

Six months in the making, but finished before the snow. I have not added closures. I may leave it this way. We'll see how things work out when I start wearing it.

Slow but steady

So, I did not finish the stole before the closing ceremonies--but I'm very proud of what I have done with my first lace weight project. Here it is in its current state.

I'm about 25% done.

This little guy was in my garden this morning. He let me get very close. He blended in with the leaves and grass very well.

Wendy's challenge

OK Wendy--I copied this off your blog, and since I'm back to work tomorrow, and will probably not have time to breath for a few weeks, I'll give it a go now.

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 9:15--God I love those new Legos.

2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Pearls

3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? The last Harry Potter movie--I really don't get out much

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS? Good Eats, Fraiser, currently obsessed with the Olympics

5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Cup of tea, maybe some toast.

6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? None

7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU NOT LIKE? okra (shudder)

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ALBUM? I almost never listen to music these days.

9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Honda Civic

10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? Caprese from Dominics

11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE? Dishonesty.

12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? Red fleece top

13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? India

14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? White and blue

15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? Levis

16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? Maine with frequent visits to Italy

17. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? none--although all the Olympics has been fun.

18. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS? Don't know that anyone beyond New England reads this--if you do, leave a message

19. WHO DO YOU LEAST EXPECT TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No one, because I'm not sending it out, I'm just posting it here.

20. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO SEND IT BACK FIRST? No one, see above!

21. FAVORITE SAYING: Screw you guys, I'm going home.

22. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? 10/26

23. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? Night.

24. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 8.5

25. PETS? none

26. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I finally got to the beach this past week--woohoo

27. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? A veterinarian.

28. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Annoyed about have to go back to a mound of work tomorrow

29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? cinnamon gum

30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? Tulips.

31. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? First week of Sept--more vacation!

32. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Catherine

33. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The dehumidifier.

34. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Blueberry coffee cake

35. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? Nope, but I used to wish on eyelashes.

36. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Pink

37. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? Cool and clear.

38. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? Lemonade.

39. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Blu Fin

40. SIBLINGS? 2

41. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Thanksgiving

42. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? I was more of a book kid.

43. SUMMER OR WINTER? How about Fall?

44. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs (I'm known to wipe off slobbery kisses)

45. COFFEE OR TEA? Tea

46. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Vanilla.

47. YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO E-MAIL YOU BACK? Only if they feel like it.

48. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Don't remember

49. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? Foam kids mats that I use to block my knitting!

50. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU HAVE HAD THE LONGEST? Traci, 23 years next month.

51. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? Watched the Olympics and knit on my lace.

52. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? Something bad happening to my son.

53. SALTY OR SWEET? Salty.

54. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? 3--two car, one house.

55. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Saturday.

57. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 12.

58. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? Nope.

59. HOW MANY WILL RESPOND? ??? Anyone else out there going to give this a try.

Interview with J

While J was cleaning up after dinner, I got a chance to interview him.


Me: What is your favorite thing about my knitting?
J: That it makes you happy doing it.


Me: What is the best thing about me having a knitting hobby?
J: That you found something that is fun, and it doesn't involve alcohol.


Me: Name something I've knit that you really like.
J: My scarf. It's cool.


Me: Do you think knitting is an expensive hobby?
J: Ah, no (in a the distance a little voice says, "Yes! Yea it is, I told Mommy that")

Me: Do you have any hobbies?
J: Do I have any hobbies? I don't know if I have any hobbies. Do I have any hobbies? I like to ride my bike and I like to travel.

Me: What's your favorite style of dance?
J: I do not have one.

Me: Does it embarrass you if I knit in public?
J: Only if you are naked, so I guess the answer is no.

Me: Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?
J: Noro. Is that the right answer?
Me: I don't really have one.

Me: Can you name another knitting blog?
J: Aaaaa, yes.
Me: What is it?
J: The Yarn Harlot.

Me: Do you mind it when I go to yarn stores?
J: The operating word is when YOU go to yarn stores. I don't like to go shopping. So as long as it is just you going I don't mind, as long as you don't come out with bags and bags and bags.

Me: Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
J: Yes
Me: What is it?
L: You can feel and see what the fabric is before you invest in it.

Me: Do you read my blog?
L: No

Me: Is there anything in particular you'd like me to knit?
L: Ahhhhh, not really.

Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
J: I'd like to know what the average knitter spends on yarn in a month--and what do you all have against the poor sheep you are cutting the fleece off of.
Me: We love the sheep.
J: Talking to the sheep "You're such a nice sheep" makes buzzing noise.

Interview with L

Since everyone is doing it, I'll do it too.
Here is an interview with my lunch companion. A transcript follows:


Me: What is your favorite thing about my knitting?
L: Knitting, I like it.

Me: What is the best thing about me having a knitting hobby?
L: We play pirates.

Me: Name something I've knit that you really like.
L: Socks.
Me: What kind of socks?
L: Colorful socks

Me: Do you think knitting is an expensive hobby?
L: nods, eyes bulging, while eating soup
Me: Why?
L: 'Cause it is.

Me: Do you have any hobbies?
L: shakes head no.

Me: What's your favorite style of dance?
L: Irish dance.

Me: Does it embarrass you if I knit in public?
L: nods, eyes bulging, while eating soup

Me: Do you know my favorite kind of yarn?
L: nods
Me: What kind?
L: Colorful yarn

Me: Can you name another knitting blog?
L: Aaaaaaaaaaaaa, knitting needle.

Me: Do you mind it when I go to yarn stores?
L: Yes.
Me: Why?
L: Because I do. I like looking at the yarn. I like all the pretty yarn.

Me: Do you understand the importance of a swatch?
L: nods yes
Me: What is it?
L: I don't know. Why are you writing what I said?
Me: For the interview.

Me: Do you read my blog?
L: nods yes. I said yes and no, so you do yes and no.

Me: Is there anything in particular you'd like me to knit?
L: Socks. Colorful socks.
Me: What colors?
L: Red, orange, yellow, green. We're about to finish our lunch.

Me: Thank you for your kind interview.
L: giggles, sips milk.

Me: Anything else you'd like to add?
L: No. Did I say no? Why are you writing it down??

And that concluded the interview portion of lunch. We are now back to playing pirates.