Banned Book Week

September 29 - October 6, 2007

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

2007

Retained in the Fond du Lac (WI) HS sophmore advanced English class. Parents had objected to teens reading Angelou's account of being brutally raped by her mother's boyfreind and an unwanted pregnancy later in life. Parents will recieve notification and be allowed to decide whether or not they approve of its use by their children.

2006

Removed as required reading from Annapolis (MD) freshman English curriculm because of rape scene and other mature content.

2005

Challenged for racism, homosexuality, sexual content, offensive language and unsuited to age group.

2003

Challenged as required reading in Hamilton (MT) freshman English class due to sexual exploration by teenagers, rape and homosexuality. Challenged in Fairfax (VA) school libraries by a group called Parents Against Bad Books in Schools for "profanity and descriptions of drug abuse, sexually explicit conduct and torture".

2002

Banned for language and being too explicit in the book's portrayal of rape and other sexual abuse.

2001

Challanged for being on the Poolesville (MD) high school reading list for sexual content and language

Held at Marshall (Drinko Library, E185.97.a56A3 1970).

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Site modified September 27, 2007