What is a common reason why books are challenged by parents?

Books are frequently challenged by parents due to concerns over age-inappropriate material. This encompasses topics that may not be suitable for a particular age group, including but not limited to explicit language, sexual content, violence, or mature themes. Parents often feel a responsibility to protect their children from exposure to content they believe is not aligned with their values or that may be too mature for their developmental stage. This concern can lead to challenges aimed at restricting access to these materials in schools and libraries, as parents may believe that it is their role to guide their child's reading choices based on what they think is appropriate.

Other factors, such as the high cost of books, lack of interest from children, or limited library hours, do not typically elicit challenges to specific titles in the same way. While these issues may affect access to literature or reading habits, they are not the primary reasons for parents challenging books in educational settings.