The American Library Association, ALA, is an organization that, among other things, compiles an annual list of the most frequently challenged books. “The American Library Association actively defends the rights of library patrons to read, seek information, and express themselves freely, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.” (ALA) Often the books on this list are challenged by parents wanting to protect their children from things they don't think are appropriate. “Only parents have the right and responsibility to restrict their children's access” (ALA) Even with these good intentions, by challenging a book, they are attempting to challenge the thoughts and words of the authors, their First Amendment rights . These books usually contain complex ideas, issues, and information that make it difficult for parents to place them where their children can read them. The novel My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is a contested book due to its homosexuality, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexism, sexually explicit scenes, violence, and unsuitability for its time period age; This novel should definitely not be challenged as its use of offensive language is only used to intensify certain situations, and through all the controversial issues it uses, it puts into perspective how far someone would go to his family. This novel, My Sister's Keeper, tells the story of a preteen, Anna, caught between a big family problem, her sister's life. Anna Fitzgerald is the genetically engineered daughter of Sara and Brain, designed to save the life of her sister Kate, who was suffering from leukemia. Anna's decision to stop being Kate's donor tears the Fitzgerald family apart. With such controversial subject matter that the novel is based...... middle of paper...... February 17, 2011.Picoult, Jodi. “Book 11: My Sister’s Keeper.” Jodi Picoult: novels about family, relationships and love. Np, February 6, 2011. Web. February 17, 2011..Bib4: Unknown. “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult. Gentlemen Renaissance. April 18, 2006: np SIRS Renaissance. Internet. February 17, 2011 "Top 10 most frequently challenged books in 2009." TO THE. American Library Association, March 4, 2009. Web. February 17, 2011. http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/21stcenturychallenged/2009/index.cfmHang, Justin. Variety "My Sister's Keeper" June 29, 2009: 36. ProQuestLearning: Literature. Internet. February 17, 2011.displayItem.do?QueryType=criticism&ResultsID=12D9C29DFE85&ItemNumber=8>.