September 30, 2010

Ah, I love being on Top Ten lists…

Filed under: News — Jeff @ 5:45 pm

The American Library Association is marking Banned Books Week, and they have the 2010 Top Ten Banned Graphic Novels list.

You can read the list on Hypergeek, and read the article on The Huffington Post.

Among the reasons BONE has been banned:  Sexually Explicit content and drugs.

Huh?!

25 Comments »

  1. I don’t know wether to laugh or cry….but I suppose tabacco is a drug. At least that part is technically accurate?

    Comment by shadoe — September 30, 2010 @ 7:52 pm

  2. That’s really sad… I found Bone though my Middle Schools Library!

    What a shame. Well, I guess they just want kids reading those dumbass Jerry Spinelli books instead of works of pure Genius!

    Comment by John — September 30, 2010 @ 10:28 pm

  3. “Among the reasons BONE has been banned: Sexually Explicit content and drugs.

    Huh?!”

    My thoughts exactly. “Unsuited to Age Group” also confused me. I have many graphic novels, a good number of which I would not want my kids reading until they get older, but Bone? I would wholeheartedly encourage them to read as soon as they start reading.

    Comment by Mark — September 30, 2010 @ 10:50 pm

  4. I totally agree with all of you! I am young and I don’t see any thing “sexual like!”
    I hope BONE doesn’t get recalled out of retail stores! Keep me updated!

    Comment by Christopher — September 30, 2010 @ 11:05 pm

  5. Sexually explicit? Maybe it’s because Fone, Phoney and Smiley don’t wear trousers …

    Seriously, the article doesn’t make clear whether the books were banned or there was just an attempt to ban them. One way or the other, from the reasons given it would appear that those seeking to ban the books never read them, or spectacularly missed the point.

    Comment by Jonathan — October 1, 2010 @ 4:01 am

  6. I like the no-pants theory!
    Seriously though, the term Sexually Explicit is completely inappropriate. There is no sex in BONE at all, let alone explicit depictions of it.
    The list includes books that are challenged, as well as books that are banned.
    And I swear, whoever it is that challenges these books would take away Groucho’s cigar if they could.

    Comment by Jeff — October 1, 2010 @ 8:10 am

  7. It can’t be the pantless Bones (which now that I type it does sound a little dirty). Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie never wore pants, except when swimming if I’m not mistaken. Not even Uncle Scrooge did, but he had that smoking jacket type of thing that sort of draped low.

    Oh well, I don’t think this is going to turn into a tidal wave of disapproval at this point, but it does still stink that people want to limit other people’s decisions about what’s appropriate and not. If you’re really into the First Ammendment, then keep an eye on Snyder v. Phelps that’s first up on the Supreme Court’s docket for the new session.

    Comment by Jonathan D — October 1, 2010 @ 9:12 am

  8. “Sexually Explicit content, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs.”

    Alright, pardon my language but… are you sh**ing me??

    There was never any sex in Bone, nevertheless explicit sex. Seriously, do these people read The Boys by Garth Ennis? The only “innuendo” I can maybe, MAYBE see is that bath seen in Book 1 where Fone says “I’ve never done this before.” But I SERIOUSLY doubt that it was meant that way.

    Secondly, offensive language? Where?

    Third. Unsuited for age group. Wasn’t Bone originally intended for adults? And yet hundreds of thosands of kids and parents alike enjoy the book together.

    Fourth. Drugs? Honestly? Smiley might smoke cigars but he’s no crack-fiend.

    Good Lord, the idiocy of people…

    Comment by Marcus — October 1, 2010 @ 11:30 am

  9. Well, it IS a “graphic” novel after all . . . ;)

    Comment by dgm — October 1, 2010 @ 12:38 pm

  10. Just a note to let oyou know there’s some anti-banning help on the way for excellent comics like Bone: http://maupinhouse.blogspot.com/2010/09/banned-books-bone-and-bayou-rationales.html

    Best,
    Bucky, Belover of Bone

    Comment by James Bucky Carter — October 1, 2010 @ 3:41 pm

  11. Deffintly baffled, I posted something on FB too but maybe they thought Thorn’s cloths were scantily clad. Other than that who knows. I was planning on reading the series to my niece when she’s old enough to understand the story. She’s 18m today. Honestly I read the series to my youngest brother when he was still little. If they ban Bone then they have to ban a number of classics as well. That mind you are far worse.

    Comment by Jeanette — October 1, 2010 @ 4:00 pm

  12. Just a thought but perhaps the person who thought of banning Bone when into it a bit to far. I never thought any of those things when I’ve read the series. So I would like to know where they came up with this melarky. Bunch of fools probably have gutter brains if they thing there’s drugs and sex in the series. I would think they would ban it for violence before any of that. But even the violence is mild at most.
    Whatever the case I’ve loved Bone since I sarted reading it over a decade ago and I’ll continue to do so. If they want to ban books why don’t they start with the ones that have the real problems on not be all nit picky with an innocent meant for all ages series.

    Comment by Jeanette — October 1, 2010 @ 4:11 pm

  13. Who cares! Seriously no one has ever even heard of the American Library Association. I have been reading all my life and at 32 have collected comics/graphic novels since I was 8. Libraries are struggling to stay alive in this day and age when those of us who actually read get our content online and visit mega chain bookstores, or buy directly from places like Amazon.com. The ALA is a lost cause. Libraries may not even be around in 10 yrs.

    Comment by Rafael — October 1, 2010 @ 4:14 pm

  14. I Disagree Entirly Kids should read this book.
    Drugs? Smily bone smokes a Cigar and i think some of the characters drink. but this is not enough to get it banned. im not gonna mention the sexual explicit(there is none). but this is not all a bad thing this is probably a great way for publicity.

    Comment by Alvin Allen Jr — October 1, 2010 @ 4:28 pm

  15. Thanks for all the support, everyone!
    I should clarify that the American Library Association who posted the list does NOT want to ban BONE or any of these books. They are against banning any book, and the list is to alert the rest of us that this kind of police state behavior is going on.
    So, Hooray for the ALA!

    Comment by Jeff — October 1, 2010 @ 5:28 pm

  16. Yay ALA!! :) Libraries are great, I worked in one in college and have gained appreciation for one nerby. Their a great place for people with empty pockets. I haven’t been able to buy gn or manga in a couple years.

    But again it’s unfortunate that anyone whould thing to ban Bone. For crying out loud put your efforts where it’s really needed and not in heart felt literature.

    Comment by Jeanette — October 1, 2010 @ 7:12 pm

  17. bahahahah
    XD

    Comment by Bianca — October 1, 2010 @ 11:26 pm

  18. This is Phoney Bone! When is th’ Bone Movie (by WB) coming out, or at least th’ trailer for it?! I want to see myself on the Big screen!

    Comment by Phoniciple P. Bone — October 2, 2010 @ 6:41 pm

  19. Hi Jeff, I am very excited about your movie! When I see it come out into the movie theatre I am gonna freak! Bye!!!
    love Ava (age 9)

    Comment by Ava S. — October 4, 2010 @ 9:39 pm

  20. look up bone wiki

    Comment by parker — October 5, 2010 @ 8:14 pm

  21. I can see why people would think that. The part in the first book where Fone Bone and Thorn take a bath. Starting in eighth book, (and a little bit of the fourth) there are alot of bloody battles. The whole thing where Briar explodes and the locusts come out of her (sixth book) may be disturbing to certain people. Also, in the ninth book, there are a few revealing pictures of Thorns breast. Lucius also uses some dirty language if you read carfuly.

    I don’t think it’s anything to freak out about. Compared to some other childrens books that I’ve read, Bone is like the Bible.

    Bone is definetly one of my favorite things to read. I’m looking forward to the movie (if it ever happens) and Bone Legacy, the new Bone series.

    Comment by Zack — October 6, 2010 @ 4:56 pm

  22. Some of our greatest literature has been banned by small-minded individuals. Bone’s in good company!

    Comment by Erica — October 17, 2010 @ 12:23 pm

  23. A good reason for drugs is the cigars used by Smiley Bone, but some say there isn’t really a sexual scene in it.
    Well, actually there is one scene where Thorn goes bathing with all her clothes lying on the ground, but no picture of the “sexual parts” in it.
    I think it is totally worthless, banning this book.
    Hopefully this book isn’t banned in my country (Holland).

    Comment by Sander — November 1, 2010 @ 4:07 pm

  24. THERE MAKING THAT JUNK UP NEVER HAVE I SAW ANY THING LIKE THAT IN THE BEST SERIES EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOOOOOOOO YOU

    THOSE PEOPLE ARE WRONG

    Comment by Christine — February 20, 2011 @ 5:35 pm

  25. I’ve been reading bone ever sense I was able to read.And there is nothing wrong with BONE.Where the heck do you see sexual content in BONE?!DRUGS!Sure Smily Bone smokes cigars,but he’s not encouriging the reader to smoke.Only in book tree have I seen cussing.1 time!When Lucius says “What the h**l are you doing?!” I would encourage kids and adults to read bone.:)

    Comment by Garrett — March 1, 2011 @ 9:08 am

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