Most Frequently Challenged Books Written by Authors of Color: 1990-1999

I'll admit that being born in Derry, Northern Ireland and being raised in Manchester, England from age three to adulthood, has led me to not know that many authors on this list. I think that many of these authors are American, aren't they? These books and authors actually appeared on the list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-1999 and the number beside each one is its ranking within the above list.

3: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

• Reason for challenges: racism, homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language, unsuited to age group 

17: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language, violence 

31: Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane

• Reason for challenges: homosexuality, sexually explicit 

34: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language 

36: Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers

• Reason for challenges: racism, offensive language, violence 

45: Beloved by Toni Morrison

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, violence 

69: Native Son by Richard Wright

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language, violence 

73: The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language 

78: Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language, occult 

84: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

• Reason for challenges: racism, sexually explicit, offensive language 

85: Always Running by Luis Rodriguez

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language 

Other books written by authors of color challenged during this period include: Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (offensive language) and American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz (sexually explicit).

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight