The decline and fall of censorship...?

USA Today recently published an interesting article on "Challenged" books. Apparently challenges have dropped to the lowest number since the ALA began keeping records in the early 1980's. Although they cite less energy to address events outside the home, and the internet as reasons why challenges have dropped, I have to wonder if there are other reasons. Are publishers increasingly rejecting books that they know are likely to be targets? Or alternately, getting their authors to tone them down? Has the threshold for what is "acceptable" changed?

I am always surprised at what is challenged. To me, there is nothing about the Harry Potter series that would suggest that a bonfire was the way to go. I remember reading The Catcher in the Rye in school, and being bored half to death. Back then I couldn’t understand the fuss our teacher was making about how great it was.

Censorship is like being in denial - maybe if we ignore the issue, it will all go away. And, we all know how well that works...