Most Frequently Challenged Books Written by Authors of Color: 2000-2009

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 2000-2009 and the number beside each one is its ranking within the above list.

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

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

11: Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers

• Reason for challenges: racism, offensive language, violence

15: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language

17: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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

26: Beloved by Toni Morrison

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, violence

32: Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya

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

39: Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane

• Reason for challenges: homosexuality, sexually explicit

66. Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

• Reason for challenges: offensive language

68: Always Running by Luis Rodriguez

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language 

 72: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

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

81: Black Boy by Richard Wright

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

84: So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Watkins

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, distorted perspective of history, violence

97: The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende

• Reason for challenges: sexually explicit, offensive language 

Other books written by authors of color challenged during this period include: Hoops by Walter Dean Myers (sexually explicit; offensive language) and Monster by Walter Dean Myers (sexually explicit; offensive language; violence).  

Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight