Piscataway is celebrating the week with a display highlighting books in the library's collection that are frequently challenged at libraries across the nation.

Sharon Rawlins, youth-services consultant for the New Jersey State Library in Trenton, said participation is high among libraries in New Jersey. Some even use yellow caution tape to decorate banned-book displays.

But Rawlins said sometimes parents overestimate the dangers of books because they underestimate their child's readiness or because they overestimate their child's understanding of or interest in mature themes.

"I think sometimes adults are looking at it their from their point of view and seeing the worst," she said. "And the kids don't get that at all. Kids are good at censoring. Maybe they didn't understand it or they'll skip over things."

Each year, the American Library Association releases a list of the most-challenged books of the previous year. The 2007 list is topped for the second-straight year by the book "And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. The children's book tells the story of two male penguins caring for an orphaned egg.

Many of the books on the list are aimed at children and teenagers. In fact, Mary Piekarski, supervisor of Adult/Young Adult Services at the Piscataway library, said some of the books are frequently recommended by teachers.

"A lot of the books are on summer reading lists," she said.

Newling said local community standards are very important when librarians choose books, and she said the patrons of her library are very diverse.

Rawlins said libraries need to honor that diversity by providing a diverse collection.

"We want to make materials on any topic, on any race, on any religion available for people because we have such a diverse population, not just in our state, but in other states, too," she said. "I think everybody should be for freedom."

Newling said was not sure why so many books that are considered classics are still being challenged today. The 2007 list includes "The Color Purple" and the aforementioned "Huckleberry Finn."

"Possibly it is because they are considered a great book because the author is taking on a big topic," she said. "So people are going to feel strongly one way or the other."

Newling herself said she had a strong feeling when she first read "Huckleberry Finn."

"I read it as a kid, and I didn't like it," she said. "I read it again as an adult, and I really liked it. Which I guess is right. It really is an adult book."

Jared Kaltwasser can be

reached at 908-707-3137 or

jkaltwasser@mycentraljersey.com