Last week was Banned Books Week. Check out the link to learn about the event. Click on "Censorship" to find out about some familiar books and why they have been censored.
Two of our columnists wrote about Banned Books Week. Frank Bruni's article, "The Wilds of Education," addresses the issue and links up to another article, "Highland Park ISD Suspends Seven Books After Parents Protest Their Content." Jenee Osterheldt also discusses her experiences with reading banned literature and lists the top banned books of 2013 in "Banned Books are Some of the Best."
Follow some of these links to familiarize yourself with some of the titles that have been banned. Consider the reasons for banning these books to prepare for Socratic Seminar on Wednesday.
In the comments identify at least one banned book that you have read, and share your opinions on the banning of this book.
A banned book series that I have read was the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. It was banned because it had offensive language, it was said to be inappropriate for the age group, and that it was too violent. Even though I read these books when I was in the 1st or 2nd grade, I was never scarred or disturbed by anything in any of the books. I found the book interesting and entertaining. I don’t believe the book series should be banned, because the ideas and graphics were simply cartoons and in my opinion not very serious.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. I remember rushing to the library every week, trying to be first in line so I could get my hands on a Captain Underpants book. I don't remember one thing about that series except for that I loved it. I believe that those are valid reasons to ban the book, but I think they are forgetting the fact that the age group that reads that series can barely comprehend what is taking place in those books. I know that me personally was laughing the whole time at some random dude running around stopping crime in underpants, not paying attention to the bigger picture. I did not get the idea once that it was perfectly normal to one, beat people up, and two, do so in underwear. So, unless that starts happening, I feel that the books should remain on the shelves.
Delete"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie.
ReplyDeleteReasons: Offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group"
So, I read this book sophomore year, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I, for one, don't really remember it being sexually explicit, but that isn't the type of thing I really pay attention too, so it could have been. The book is about a Native American boy who decides he is going to go to school off-rez (reservation) and do something with his life. Of course there is going to be racism!!! It is showing the white prejudice against the Native American population. However, it also shows how that can be overcome, and how people can understand eachother's cultures. There was offensive language, but it really helped to paint a picture of how life is like on a Native American reservation. It was not too crude, nor was it poorly used. It was a choice made by the author that really enriched the text. I believe that this book is SO appropriate for "age group". This book is about someone in school, moving from school to school and balancing school with the different atmosphere at home. I would thrust this book in the face of my classmates and tell them to read it. It has great information and life lessons that all highschoolers could benefit from. Also, being part Native myself, but living in middle class suburbia all my life, it was great to get this insight to reservation life and the other struggles Native Americans face.
In 2013, The Hunger Games was banned. The reasons being "religious viewpoint" and "unsuited to age group" (I can only assume this is in reference to the violence). Firstly, I am not even sure how this book is offensive to other's religion. Granted, I read this book in 6th grade so I might be overlooking this, but I can honestly say I don't even remember how this book even related to religion. By banning this book based on religion, parents are basically shielding their children from acknowledging there are other people in this world who have different religious views. By banning this awareness, how are kids suppose to except these other religions if they are taught not to acknowledge them? The fact that this book "unsuited to age group" is beyond me because I know kids now a days have access, via the Internet, to far more disturbing things than words on a page. Whether banned or not, people are missing out on one really good book.
ReplyDelete"Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood" by Marjane Satrapi
ReplyDeleteAccording to the ALA, "Persepolis" was banned in Chicago school districts due to "graphic illustrations and language." We read this graphic novel last year in Pre-AP English and seeing this book being challenged is questionable. First of all, the story was about a girl who defied authority and decided to be herself despite threats by the tyrannical Iranian government. It is a story that can be related to be many students..... in today's society (ha). We can relate to Marjane in the story in such a way that makes us feel as if we were in the middle of the Iranian Revolution.
However, I can see why the book might be challenged. The graphic novel presents many themes that might not be understood by some students that do not possess a good knowledge base of the Middle East at that time. Also, the graphic novel presented many violent occurrences throughout the story. Despite, these reasons for challenging "Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood," I still can't fathom why people would go to such depths to challenge it.
I have read many books/series that are on the list of banned books. This includes Junie B. Jones, Harry Potter, of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, Fahrenheit 451, Are You There God? it's Me Margaret, and many others. I do not agree with the banned books list. I think the banned book list exists because people don't like different. They don't like things that are out of the norm from what they read. So I believe that when someone goes to challenge books they really just don't like it because it's not their style. From all the books I've read that are on this list I have not read one that I feel is a book that should be taken away.
ReplyDeleteGoing off of what Kylie said, I also think that the only reason books are put on the banned book list is because they're "offensive" and "insensitive" to only a handful of people. What's more is that those few people only act ashamed or violated because the book challenges their beliefs or makes them feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable. The problem (connecting this back to Ehrenreich's Bright Sided) is that these people can't handle negative news or stories, so they just crawl back into their little hidey-holes of positive self-affirmation. When they do this, they're constricting the flow of information that they receive, thusly giving them a warped view of the world around them. I used to think that banned books should stay unread, but after reading the articles and looking at the ALA's banned books list (once, twice, three times over), I feel like picking up and reading a banned book myself because it will enhance my knowledge and understanding of this big, crazy world we all live in. Besides, I've already read some of the books on the list, such as the Harry Potter series, Of Mice and Men, Go Ask Alice, Bridge to Terabithia, and (possibly the most confusing entry) A Light in the Attic (just to name a few).
DeleteWhen reading this list i felt similar as the classmates before me. I had read books such as the Hunger Games, and to Kill a Mockingbird , and not batted so much as an eyelash. I think we can all see the reason why parents are uncomfortable with their children reading about things such as drugs, sex, abuse, or rape. They have striven to protect their child from such things, however banning these books is naive. Books on this list such as The Glass Castle or Looking for Alaska, are both high realistic. Its a big, scary world out there and kids reading about real world issues isn't an issue an my book. As the future generation we need to be prepared for such possibilities.
ReplyDeleteI truthfully feel as if the people who 'banned' these book never actually read them, the things these books speak/discuss in them is what older generations might feel to be taboo but it's really what we as a younger generation considers normal. It might be bad to say but I myself believe that the committee who decides these books should be banned need to be re-looked at by the younger generation and then decided if these books deserve to be banned, that's my opinion at least.
DeleteI'm glad that most of the people on here agree with me that these banned books are banned for trivial reasons, or given other various excuses for why perfectly good books with generally important ideals are banned. I'm going to use Fahrenheit for an example because it was banned for "graphic violence" and "explicit language," also one of the books burned in Farenheit is the bible. I find this book being banned to be particularly ironic, because of what fraenheit is about. The story of the book is about a "utopian" society that has banned all literature, and is actively trying to prevent its people from growing, learning new ideals, seeing new perspectives, and trying to discover all literature has to offer. And the act of this being banned is so ironic it hurts, because that is what people banning this book are really trying to do. Anyway what book were you most surprised about it being banned.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex on how banning a book, that is about the banning of books is extremely ironic. I think banning books is ridiculous, a better alternative would be categorizing them like movies. That way you know that younger kids shouldn't read a book that is "PG-13". It seems that books that have a "utopian-but-actually-super-distopian" theme get banned such as Fahrenheit 451 or The Hunger Games.
DeleteI have read many banned books. Some include Hunger Games, Glass castle, and To Kill a Mockingbird. In any case of banning books, the school or parents, are concerned about and are not open to different ideas. I believe that banning the book is just an unnecessary measure to keep students innocent. If the parents have a problem with their child reading a certain book they can address that with their child and not make the school ban the book.
ReplyDeleteI have read multiple books that are on the banned books list, but I don't believe that any of them belong there. I agree with many of my other classmates when they say there really isn't any good reasons for these books being banned. One in particular is The Glass Castle. This book is banned because of "inappropriate content", but I find that this book is very eye opening. This book is a memoir, which means that all of this events actually happened, and by banning this book we are banning students from the real world. If we ban every book that has to do with a real life struggle then how is it possible to prepare students for life? Bad things happen but this novel is not all sad it tells a story of how Jeanette is able to overcome her bad childhood. I thought schools were trying to teach students to persevere. This is what this novel is all about. Students also have access to much worse things such as the internet and the television, so why should we take away a novel that teaches them to work through challenges in life?
ReplyDeleteI read the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey in 4th grade. The book was banned for offensive language, violence, and it was determined to be unsuited for the targeted age group. I don't agree with this banning at all. Kids in the age group reading the books cuss and use bad language more than people realize. They also play video games with twice the violence the series contains. The shows and movies they watch also have a lot of violence and bad language, but their parents allow these children to watch them. I read these books and never thought of them as bad books and inappropriate. I liked the books and have heard nothing but positive reviews for them.
ReplyDeleteI read "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess last year in Pre-AP, and can understand why it would be banned. Alex and his droogs were a part of a cult that committed a multitude of crimes, such as burglary, rape, and assault. There was also the frequent use of expletives, even if they were written in the made-up slang called nadsat. Most of all I believe it was banned for its controversial last chapter in the US version in which Alex fails to be reformed; however, I believe that if the novel had been printed as Burgess intended with the twenty-first chapter it would be banned far less often as it has an optimistic ending. The US version is dark and suggests that humans are simply inherently evil, and this was translated into Kubrick's widely hailed theatrical version, which did not help the public's view on the novel. The last chapter/scene in the US version and the movie imply that there is no hope for some people, and this scares people and makes them feel helpless, which I believe is the largest reason for the ban.
ReplyDeleteWhile I understand why the novel might be banned, I do not believe it should be. The beauty of this novel comes from the shock value of the crimes and confusion brought about by the use of nadsat. After I read it, I knew that I had just finished a masterpiece, and for that reason it is one of my favorite books. I have never been restricted as far as what I could read or watch, so the idea of a banned book is foreign to me. I’m thankful that my parents never tried to shelter me from the realities of the world that I live in. In banning books, we restrict knowledge which is the only thing that we as humans have total control over. The restriction of knowledge is morally wrong because it does not fully allow us to discover ourselves, and without the knowledge of ourselves and where we came from, we are nothing, for isn’t ontological damnation worse than death. ;)
I completely agree with Kara. A Clockwork Orange was also a favorite of mine. I can understand the reason for banning the book though. This book portrayed awful things that Alex and his droogs did to innocent people, causing intense violence throughout the book. Banning this book however is only trying to cover up realities that people have faced. I also agree with the stance that the book shouldn't be banned because it gives the reader a full insight on the lives of criminals that committed these acts and the real effects were on innocent people. In addition to many other books banned because of violence, I can't completely choose a side on if these book should be banned or not. (Although I'm leading towards not banning these books)
DeleteI plan to read most of the books on these lists, however, I have not read any yet. I do know what most of them are about and the events that take place within them. One book that I am quite familiar with is The Hunger Games. the reason this book would be banned from schools would be because of all the violence involved. The entire book, most of it anyway, takes place in an arena with people fighting each other to the death. this is not something teachers or parents would want their kids learning about. "VIOLENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER," -Every teacher and parent ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to bring up one of my favorite books Where the Wild Things Are. The book was banned for having a cruel punishment and for referencing witchcraft and supernatural events. It was banned across the southern states for the cruel punishment which was sending s child to bed without dinner and for the witchcraft reference. The people who banned it also said it gave children nightmares when they read it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have read a majority of the books that have been banned a couple of the most popular being the Harry Potter series and the Hunger Games. I think the assumption that children will do what they read is flawed especially when children know that the books they are reading are fiction. For example, I would not become a more violent student just because I read a book that deals with some fantasy world where children are forced to fight to the death. In the end it is the parents responsibility to provide a moral standing for what they would like their children to believe about this world, whilst still recognizing that their child is an independent being with their own set of thoughts and assumptions. Banning books does nothing to increase moral standards, the only thing it increases is ignorance. Moreover the potential loss of epistemology is quite upsetting.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Darian. It is the parents responsibility to inform their children what is right or wrong. If the book, in the eyes of the parents, is unfit for their children because of violence or beliefs they can not allow their children to read the book. However, in most of the books or series, I do not see a reason why they should be put on the banned list. Again, children should be able to know right from wrong.
DeleteA banned book series I have read is the Hunger games. They were banned for the violence involved. I do not think it should be banned because the world is filled with a lot of awful and evil things and by banning books you are only causing your child to be ignorant of this fact. The Hunger Games are also clearly fiction and if a child truly takes fighting kids to the death seriously then you may want to be a little more worried about that child and keep them in the corner of your eye. Instead of banning books for every child I think if a parent has a problem they should work with the teacher and come up with another book that can still be used and relates to class.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI, like so many others before, have read The Hunger Games series. I find the banning of these books to be quite unnecessary, and honestly strange. I find it strange because these book make a solid argument questioning the basis of governmental power and responsibilities. It stands almost as a warning of what could happen if a government was thrown into complete chaos, which exemplifies the value of order in society. The fact that people want it banned actually leads me to believe that those same people wish to see some similar circumstance become reality. Banning books is actually just a anarchist plot to overthrow the government and will end with 24 children a year pitted against each other to fight to the death.
ReplyDeleteLike a lot of people on here, I read To Kill A Mockingbird in ninth grade, and quite frankly I think it's ridiculous that this book was banned. Like a lot of other commenters have pointed out, many of these books have been banned because they had racism in them, or violence, or sexual assault, or any other thing you might come across in reality. TKAM was banned for offensive language and racism, and all I can do is shake my head at this, because racism and offensive language are definitely two things are are still a reality in today's world, and banning a book that contains that isn't going to stop the issue or prepare people to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteI've read The Hunger Games series and to read that it was on the banned book list made me extremely confused. It was said that this series was banned for "religious reasons." In that case why do schools have current events for Social Studies classes or teach certain subjects in science classes? Many of these subjects could clash with the reasoning that it is against some people's religion, yet schools continue to teach and talk about it. I think that banning The Hunger Games series is a little extreme and I think kids/teens should have an open mind towards books that may possibly be against their religion. And if they don't like them.... They don't have to read them. Problem solved.
ReplyDeleteI read Looking For Alaska and I can understand why it was banned. There were speculations of suicide, teenage rebellion against the school and use of controlled substances but I don't understand the logic of the banning of books in general. There are real facts and statistics of suicide, drugs, violence and more. Those are things that are happening in life, not just fiction. If they really think made up stories influence children so much, what of the news we see every day on tv?
ReplyDeleteLike Hunter I read the Captain Underpants series when I was in elementary school. I always loved reading them because I thought they were funny and entertaining, I never thought that they were violent. They may have been a bit inappropriate at times, but even at those times I still feel as though the book was perfectly fine for kids in elementary school.
ReplyDeleteAs Nick said, I also loved the Captain Underpants series. They had easy to read pages and many pictures which made it perfect for kids. Also, this author always wrote the series in which he had two pages where you could flip one back and forth to be interactive with the book, it was great! It was an awesome book that made reading enjoyable in my youth. The banning of this book seems unnecessary. It had some cartoon violence and a few childish inappropriate parts which was about it. Sure, violence and being inappropriate shouldn't be encouraged in kids but in my opinion it's apart of growing up. Society cannot make some things perfect as they wish to be for example banning books to prevent violence and such, but some things cannot be changed!
DeleteThe book that I have read in the past, which is on the banned book list, is Perks of Being a Wallflower. Many topics that the book introduces can be seen in the wrong way or could be seen in a negative point of view. Those viewpoints would make the book inappropriate for teens to read. Some topics in the book are depression, drugs, partying, and violence; these are portrayed in a way that the main character is learning a lesson. The book is entirely written to show how the main character's life is, going through high school. Although the book is on the banned book list, and has elements that can be viewed negatively, I do not think that it should be banned.
ReplyDeleteI, like many others in their elementary years, read the captain underpants series. Back then I laughed at the disgusting humor and the childish jokes. I didn't see any of it being violent and I still stand by my opinion. The books were not meant to do anything but entertain. I could however see how a parent, at first glance, may see how this reading may bring about undesirable behavior but this would only be the thoughts of a very extreme, and limiting, parenting method. Whether it is or is not the right type of book a child should be reading is an opinion but, personally, I had fun with every joke, childish or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteOne of the books that I have read on the banned book list is Looking For Alaska by John Green. The book includes things such as foul language, drinking, suicide, and sexual references and parents will find these things a bit much for kids of younger ages.While I understand that these things might offend some parents, these are things that go on in everyday life. Banning the book will not stop them from possibly encountering them in the real world.
ReplyDeleteI have read multiple banned books such as Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, and many more. I do not agree with the banning of any of these books or the banned books list at all because i feel that these books cover topics that need to be addressed. I think that books get banned because people either don't understand the importance of addressing the issues in these books or they just don't like the books. Nevertheless, I do not care for the list and will probably read these books anyways.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as I'm an avid reader, I have read many of these books. To find out these books were banned is a very big surprise to me because I see no reason for them to be banned. Yes, they address real life issues and open our minds up to different ways of thinking, but what's so wrong about that? After reading each of those books, my world did not come to an end nor did I have a catastrophic meltdown because I felt the book was too revealing. After reading "The Glass Castle" it instantly became a favorite of mine and gave it a special place on my bookshelf. This book impacted me greatly, but not in a way that makes me wish for it to be banned. The banning of this book is absurd, in my opinion, because the real time experience is already out there and happening now. What difference is it going to make for us to read about it?
ReplyDeleteI read the Hunger Games in the 6th grade. The fact that this series of books is now on the banned books list does not surprise me. However, it leaves feeling quite disappointed. I'm sure that a person, most likely a parent, made the case that extreme violence among adolescents is a very dark subject. This is a good point, but this person fails to realize that extreme violence among adolescents does not seem so dark among, well, adolescents. The banning of this book is a poor decision, not only because it is a very fun read, but it is also one of the few well-written novels that has a strong, independent heroine as its lead role.
ReplyDeleteI just recently finished the Glass Castle by Jennette Walls like many others here. I find nothing in this book that seems justifiable to ban. The entire realm of banned books came about simply because people are cowards. If a certain text bothers someone enough to justify banning it from others to reading lists, then they have much greater problems in life. Humans need to stop acting so soft and toughen up like in years' past.
ReplyDeleteI have also read the Hunger games when i was in middle school. The Hunger Games series was banned because it has a religious viewpoint and is unsuited to age group. I don't agree why this was banned. I can understand why the third would be banned because in my opinion it is a dark book. The other two books i think are fine for the age group.
ReplyDeleteI think Captain Underpants should be banned. While some people may find those books amusing, it's actually slightly vulgar and rather gross. Those books have no business being in the hands of first and second graders. The language used is disgusting, and if the kids said those words at school, they'd be in trouble. So why let them read about it?
ReplyDeleteI agree strongly with you kyle. As I have never read any of the books but because I was not allowed to when I was growing up. My parents never let me or any of my sisters read them and I know why now. I think its a good thing that they are banned little kids are growing up faster and act to old to be in k-5 and I believe that it starts in there language and what they read. -Payton Watson
DeleteI agree with Kyle in that the Captain underpants books should be banned. The language shouldn't be marketed toward the 1st and 2nd grade crowd. With the vulgar language I don't think these books should be available for children.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI disagree, a child focused on the, by many standards, mild and insignificant profanity used in Captain Underpants is just as likely to notice and take to heart the same if not worse habits from their everyday life. The ban on this book only seems to be justified in any way, to aid the over protective parents in banning what is a petty show of vulgarity. To shield a child from such a pitiful show of tasteless activities is only going to leave them worse off for facing the ever-deteriorating society they are undoubtably going to be facing without the “ban” of slightly crass material. I read the series as a child and have yet to experience repercussions of any sort. I sincerely doubt that children nowadays are any more likely to experience repercussions either.
DeleteA book that I have read that is on the banned book list is The Grapes of Wrath. I feel that books are banned because society can't cope with books that are explicit or "real" in a sense. The grapes of Wrath was banned for profanity and sexual references. The book has an international ban appeal. This makes no sense to me. Society in America is heavily intertwined with profanity and sexual references. I can' really say for sure for other countries, but with my experience in Europe, nobody gives any thought to profanity. You can hear it everywhere (or maybe it's just that I'm in the right place at the right time). Sexual references are even worse than in America. One could mention the Red Light District in Amsterdam. Advertisements are also heavy on sexual references. Admittedly, children should be monitored on what they read. You don't want middle schoolers reading 50 Shades of Grey. However, I think that this should be a preference settled within the family. This relates to how strict parents are to movie or game ratings. Everywhere, you have small children playing games like Call of Duty, Battlefield, and Grand Theft Auto; but that isn't the case everywhere. Some families crack down on their restrictions and follow ESRB and movie rating by the book. All of these restrictions are created based upon how the family runs. I feel that this should be the same with these banned books. I don't think that a government should be regulating who can read what. It is up to the responsible adult to regulate responsibly what they read or see, and what the minors under their care read and see.
ReplyDeleteOne book that I read on the banned book list was To Kill a Mocking Bird. The reason for this book's banning was strong language, and racism. First I would like to point out the absolute vacuous lunacy of banning this book for racism. The whole point of the book was to shine a spotlight on the cruelty and unfairness of racism, to ban it is to give racism a helping hand by making students ignorant to its horrors. The sheer thought of banning this book for racism of all things is so completely devoid of any basic human thought that it makes me fearful for the future of human society, and angry that someone could be so utterly moronic as to think that this is a proper justification for banning this books that I want to scream at the top of my lungs and rip my hair out every time I am reminded that there were people who believed this. Next I would like to discuss the banning of any book is completely vacant of any good whatsoever. The premise of keeping high school students from is to "protect" them from the grim realities of life, it is to keep the from being exposed from things like, sex, alcoholic abuse, or violent crime. It is a way to ensure that students are comfortable, and safe. This is premise is fundamentally flawed. By failing to expose students to the more unsavory parts of life, by striving to make sure they are comfortable, we are leaving them woefully unprepared for the future. Life is not bubble rapped, it is not comfortable, it is not safe, by banning literature we effectively defuse any chance of having a meaningful discussion about life, and its trials, and high school is the perfect time to have these discussions. In high school students are on the precipice of adulthood, and they will be exposed to the unsavory things in the literature foolish parents are trying to ban. High school is the time for these uncomfortable conversations because it is perhaps the only time when they can discuss the ever more relevant themes with their peers, professionals, and parents, in high school students can discuss the grim parts of life in a safe and moderated environment, and further their discussion with their parents. By avoiding these conversations we simply toss students into the deep end, and expect them to figure out life on their own, uneducated about the dangers that await them. In short To Kill a Mocking Bird should be banned, nor should any piece of literature.
ReplyDeleteI, jut like a lot of kids at our school, have read the Captain Underpants series. I do not think that this series should be banned. My argument is that at the age i was while reading these i was too young to understand if that book was bad for me to read or not. When i was in elementary school i was most fascinated by the fact that it was not on a bookshelf but displayed in the front intrigued me to read it. i think parents are thinking way to much into this.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it shouldn't be banned but I think parents are just scared of how their child will interpret the content.
DeleteI have read a large amount of these banned books and most in my opinion shouldn't be banned. One of these book that I read was perks of being a wallflower. It is one of my favorite books and has a really engaging story. Through out the book, Charlie engages In some controversial behavior including underage drinking, taking LSD, smoking, and having underage sex. It is a very polarizing book and because of the sex and drug content, it is often banned. However, this book provides a very blunt and vivid incite to high school life and is very realistic. By banning this book, many lessons are lost that could be gained from reading this novel. I feel that banning this book at the high school level doesn't do anything to protect us from the "moral dangers" that plague our society. In reality there are far worse books that should be pursued.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Katie R. said. The Hunger Games is not offensive to any religion. I mean yeah there's violence and some iffy ideas but there is no religion involved. And on the idea of violence, kids should know better than to follow the ideas of a fictional piece of literature.
ReplyDelete