Banned Book Argument Essay
Juliette Daignault 802
Dear Ms. Berner,
Schools have been banning books throughout the country. So far, 11 thousand books have been banned in schools, and libraries. These books have been banned because of inappropriate content, language,or violence. I believe this is wrong, because kids should be able to learn about to learn about or relate to situations in some of these books. Books are a good way to feel emotions or relate to and banning them won’t solve anything.
When you read a book, sometimes you just want to relate to someone and know you’re not alone in the world. Taking away books that could provide this comfort or security is injuste. When kids read, it could help them with a problem or situation they need to overcome. for example as it says in “Yes, teen Fiction can be dark- but it Shows teenagers They Aren’t Alone” by Maureen Johnson “If subjects like these are in yA books, it’s to show that they are real, they have happened to others, and they can be survived. For teenagers, there is sometimes no message more critical than: you are not alone.” Books can show kids the problems that they are facing are, and have been problems for many other people. Kids can use reading challenging books as an outlet for their feelings. They need these books to help them and if they are taken away that outlet is gone. In addition, the article “Why the Best Kids Books are Written in Blood” by Sherman Alexie, states that “And there are millions of teens who read because they are sad and lonely and enraged.” Here Sherman Alexie states that one of the best ways to cope with situations is to read and know that you’re going through this by yourself.
YA books can also inform kids who are unaware of these subjects like, cutting, drugs, alcohol use, rape, etc. and teach them how to prevent or help someone in these situations. For example from the Gaurdian.com it descirbes “Thses stories could be so beneficial to students, while at the same time potentially opening them up to a braoder reading base and helping them discover something in themselves that they didn’t know about before.” Reading banned books can help teens get somewhat of an experience of what these tough situations can be like. If you ban these books you are sheltering kids from experiences that they should know about. In addition, the article “Banned Books Week 2010: Anti-Censorship Manifesto” by Ellen Hopkins, says, “They do explore tough subject matter -- addiction, abuse, thoughts of suicide, teen prostitution. But they bring young adult readers a middle-aged author's broader perspective. They show outcomes to choices, offer understanding. And each is infused with hope.” This can open kids up to experiences and it is also beneficial to have an adults point of view in situations like these.
While some argue that YA books can benefit teens, others disagree that they are harmful to teens. For example in the article “Darkness Too Visible” by Meghan Cox Gurdon, it states that, “If books show us the world, teen fiction can be like a hall of fun-house mirrors, constantly reflecting back hideously distorted portrayals of what life is” It is clear that teen fiction has become dark and violent. Many parents want to shelter their children from these types of books, however this will do no good for any teens. For example in the article “Banned Books Week 2010: Anti-Censorship Manifesto” by Ellen Hopkins, it describes, “She saw herself in those pages, and suddenly knew she didn't want to be there. That book turned her around. Today she's been sober two years, is graduating high school and has embarked on a modeling career.” Reading these books can show kids the way to change themselves and make improvements in their life. They can have a positive influence and overall change someones life for the better.
Banning books is something that many schools, libraries, and public bookstores are doing. This will have a negative effect on teens lives and will take away important sources of information from them and outlets for their feelings. Overall, these books serve a purpose in teens reading lives and shouldn’t be taken away.
Bibliography
Johnson, Maureen. "Yes, Teen Fiction Can Be Dark - but It Shows Teenagers They Aren't Alone." The Guardian. N.p., 8 June 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
Alexie, Sherman. "Why the Best Kids Books Are Written in Blood." Wall Street Journal. N.p., 9 June 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
Hopkins, Ellen. "Banned Books Week 2010: An Anti-Censorship Manifesto."The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 30 Sept. 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2014.
Gurdon, Meghan Cox. "Darkness Too Visible." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 4 June 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2014
