CENSORSHIP WATCH.(California, Ohio, North Carolina)(Brief Article)

Christopher Pike Spiked. Escondido (Calif.) Union School District trustees voted unanimously July 15 to pull 25 novels by Christopher Pike from the shelves of the district's elementary and middle school libraries, the Associated Press reported July 20. The ban follows the school board's removal of three of Pike's books last year, after which a committee of parents and educators was organized to examine additional works by the popular author for young adults.

According to the July 14 Alameda Times-Star, the committee recommended the removal of all 28 titles because of references to sex, violence, and teen use of drugs and alcohol. "I have a hard time banning books," said trustee Linda Woods, who said she was reluctant to vote to remove the books until she read them and was shocked by their graphic content.

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