Bill Cosby’s Children’s Book on Most-Banned List of 2016

Cosby’s “Little Bill” series comes in at No. 9 on American Library Association’s annual list

Bill Cosby on December 30, 2015
AFP

Bill Cosby’s children’s book series “Little Bill” made the American Library Association’s list of the most-banned books of 2016.

The book series, which debuted in 1997 and was later the basis for a children’s TV series, comes in at No. 9 on the list due to “criminal sexual allegations against the author,” according to the ALA. That sets it apart from the rest of the books listed, which are primarily challenged due to their content.

“I would say we try to purchase books that appeal to a certain age group, that the books themselves were well reviewed and that they have positive messages,” the ALA’s James LaRue said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I would also say that you may disagree with him as a person, but these books aren’t about that.”

No. 1 on the list is the young adult graphic novel “This One Summer,” written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. The book was challenged due to the inclusion of “LGBT characters, drug use, and profanity.”

The majority of the top 10 most challenged books were banned due to LGBT themes and characters. That includes Raina Telgemeier’s “Drama” at No. 2, Alex Gino’s “George” at No. 3, “I Am Jazz” by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings at No. 4 “Two Boys Kissing” by David Levithan at No. 5.

The list is compiled based on 323 challenges reported to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. About 10 percent of the reported challenges resulted in the removal of the book.

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