Book Banning Essay

Dear Ms. Berner,

Book banning and censoring is a controversial topic that has been affecting the young adult fiction world lately. Parents are putting limits on the books they allow their children to read, as a personal parental choice, and many schools are taking books off of library shelves, and teachers have been removing books from the school’s curriculum. Books should not be banned, because they educate the reader, and can motivate them to turn around their own lives.
Krystyna Slivinski reports that in District 41 Chicago, parents complained about the content of the young adult novel Perks of Being a Wallflower, requesting that it be taken off the shelves of Hadley Jr. High. The issues in this book, of peer pressure, drugs, death, sexual abuse, and relationships, are realistic and could easily affect the reader, soon or in the future. Instead of “protecting” them from the knowledge of these rough situations, we should give teens these books as educational tools about life, because once they see that it is possible to overcome their issues, it will be easier for them to face them. The reporter Mary Elizabeth Williams’ article “Has Young Adult Fiction Become too Dark?” from the Wall Street Journal reminds us,  “They’re not called children’s books, they’re young adult.” This label already hints that the books aren’t for young children, so it is shocking when people act outraged and surprised that the content is different than what you would find in books meant for kids in elementary school. If sixth graders know that YA fiction is too heavy for them personally, then they won’t read it.  There are  kids who are mature enough handle these books, so it’s wrong to make a stereotype claiming that all people of one age are the same.

Williams article “Has Young Adult Fiction Become too Dark?” also reminds us that “Reading about homicide doesn’t turn a man into a murderer.” This brings up a very good point, especially about YA fiction. No young adult book glorifies the bad situations a characters faces. These books explore the struggle characters face, and also how the characters cope with their situations. These stories can show teens how to avoid the same trouble as the characters, but it also shows teens with similar problems that there is hope, and that they are not alone. In the article “Banned Books Week 2010: Anti-Censorship Manifesto”  Ellen Hopkins, the author of many young adult novels about teens going through family problems, serious drug addictions, pregnancy, death, etc. explains how many schools have banned these books so the kids wouldn’t to be “exposed” to the issues in them. Ellen Hopkins was angry.  She understood that the topics in her books are controversial, but  she said, “They show outcomes to choices, offer understanding, and each is infused with hope.” It is important for us to look past the issues themselves, and see how they are overcome. She also claims that “After almost every talk, one or more people wait until the room clears, and tell me their story,” this proves that these kinds of books are inspirational to the readers, not destructive.  

In conclusion, these books should not be banned from sixth grade libraries, because they can be used as a guide or inspiration for kids with similar issues. They also teach readers who don’t know about the topics in the books, how dangerous certain situations might be. They also share understandable reasons why teens should avoid situations that have a negative impact on the character’s lives. Being titled “Young Adult” gives a warning, so if kids know they aren’t ready to handle darker subjects, most likely they won’t pick up those books. I believe that having young adult books available is only beneficial, because they could help educate, and motivate their readers.

Sincerely,

    Olive Forgash