The American Library Association released its top ten list of books that parents have sought to ban from school libraries. The Guardian reports:

Its newly released rankings for 2008 recorded 513 cases where books were targeted for censorship, of which 74 were successfully banned or restricted.

Pullman’s trilogy was the second most commonly attacked, a result, the ALA believes, of an organised campaign that the anti-defamation group the Catholic League launched against the film version of The Golden Compass.

They refer to Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, a fantasy epic for young adults with an unflattering portrayal of organized religion. (I thought the first book was masterful, the second mostly engaging, the third tripe.)

Topping the list of America’s want-to-ban books: And Tango Makes Three, the true story of two gay penguins at New York’s Central Park zoo who adopt a baby girl penguin.

Ironically, March of the Penguins was adopted by the conservative right as a fable of family values and intelligent design.

I am willing to bet both sides have a penguin health care book in the works.

Readers: five points for best title or storyline.