In honor of Banned Books Week, the American Library Association is urging readers to pick up the controversial books that have been banned or at least challenged throughout history.
From 2000 to 2013, the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom received 5,099 challenges to various books. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint requesting that materials be removed from a library or school because of content.
Of those challenges, the most frequently cited criteria is "sexually explicit" material found in a book's pages, according to the ALA. "Offensive language" is a close second.
In 2013, 307 challenges were filed — the fewest number since 2001 — to see the 10 most challenged books, see the above video report.
Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
