Banned Books Week
- Thread starter mossfoot
- Start date
It may surprise many people to learn that there are social groups that attempt to ban many books. A great deal of money is invensted in 'pushing' local school legistlature to restrict books that would not normally be in the so called out of bounds catagory. Mostly, schools bar only extravagant violence and minor sexual conduct from their shelves. This list though shows dozens of books that many school boards feel inappropriate even at a high school level to have accessible to their students.
Once again, you may be very surprised to know how often it does happen. More often than not, cases of this nature are laughed out of court before they make any kind of headway, but on occassion. The last case that I know of was in the early 80's and there was a listing of around 800+ books of various sorts, most dealing with occultism, how-to books on violent or deviant acts, but several of the above mentioned books also made their way onto the list. The case made its way to the state supreme court of Ohio before being thrown out for disregarding U.S. constitutional rights. Simply the fact that it passed through to the state level gave many people pause on just how prominent and influential such groups can be.
Its a shame really. Especially since one of the books that was on a similar list when I was growing up was Farenheight 451, a book about the evils of banning books. The irony was just too much to bare.
Think also then about some other countries where banning books is almost second nature and simply be thankful that you can at least get access to such books.
What kinds of stories then may have been written, but for fear of such stigmas never got penned down? Thinking of that is the real shame, an almost intangible loss that occures any time someone attempts to import their own particular view upon a larger community.
Once again, you may be very surprised to know how often it does happen. More often than not, cases of this nature are laughed out of court before they make any kind of headway, but on occassion. The last case that I know of was in the early 80's and there was a listing of around 800+ books of various sorts, most dealing with occultism, how-to books on violent or deviant acts, but several of the above mentioned books also made their way onto the list. The case made its way to the state supreme court of Ohio before being thrown out for disregarding U.S. constitutional rights. Simply the fact that it passed through to the state level gave many people pause on just how prominent and influential such groups can be.
Its a shame really. Especially since one of the books that was on a similar list when I was growing up was Farenheight 451, a book about the evils of banning books. The irony was just too much to bare.
Think also then about some other countries where banning books is almost second nature and simply be thankful that you can at least get access to such books.
What kinds of stories then may have been written, but for fear of such stigmas never got penned down? Thinking of that is the real shame, an almost intangible loss that occures any time someone attempts to import their own particular view upon a larger community.
Rashak Mani
First Post
I saw Lord of the Flies in the 100 challenged books list... why is it "banned" ? Kids killing each other ?
Harry Potter naturally is on the top 10... correctly so. Making children read about magic ! Gawd.. they might play the demonic D&D soon after.
Harry Potter naturally is on the top 10... correctly so. Making children read about magic ! Gawd.. they might play the demonic D&D soon after.
WayneLigon
Adventurer
For many kids, though, esp. the ones in poorer districts or rural locations - the very ones that more than likely need access to the ideas and concepts that most of those books provide - the local school library may be the only one they ever see on a regular basis.
It's a very thorny issue. I'd not like being told my community or school did or did not have the right to do something within it's legal capabilities, but at the same time I wish there was some defense against this kind of rampant stupidity. Thankfully, when a book does come under fire, sometimes the local bookstore will take up that challenge; I've read at least a couple instances where they'd simply give out copies of said 'banned' book. Good idea. This is where I wish I were rich, so I could provide that kind of service wherever a book is challenged. That doesn't help the very yound kids, since they usually depends on parents for their mobility, but hopefully someone could sneak them a copy.
As for 'waiting until they are of age'? It's too late by then. By that time, a lot of kids have simply given up on reading for the simpler entertainment offered by TV and computer games. Put books, as many books as possible, in their hands at an early age. Alternately guide them, and leave them alone to discover what they do like in reading, let them develop their own tastes.
It's a very thorny issue. I'd not like being told my community or school did or did not have the right to do something within it's legal capabilities, but at the same time I wish there was some defense against this kind of rampant stupidity. Thankfully, when a book does come under fire, sometimes the local bookstore will take up that challenge; I've read at least a couple instances where they'd simply give out copies of said 'banned' book. Good idea. This is where I wish I were rich, so I could provide that kind of service wherever a book is challenged. That doesn't help the very yound kids, since they usually depends on parents for their mobility, but hopefully someone could sneak them a copy.
As for 'waiting until they are of age'? It's too late by then. By that time, a lot of kids have simply given up on reading for the simpler entertainment offered by TV and computer games. Put books, as many books as possible, in their hands at an early age. Alternately guide them, and leave them alone to discover what they do like in reading, let them develop their own tastes.
WayneLigon
Adventurer
As to the question of why some of the books on the Most Challenged List are there...
The following books were the most frequently challenged in 2002:
1,607 were challenges to 'sexually explicit' material (up 161 since 1999);
1,427 to material considered to use 'offensive language'; (up 165 since 1999)
1,256 to material considered 'unsuited to age group'; (up 89 since 1999)
842 to material with an 'occult theme or promoting the occult or Satanism,'; (up 69 since 1999)
737 to material considered to be 'violent'; (up 107 since 1999)
515 to material with a homosexual theme or 'promoting homosexuality,' (up 18 since 1999)and
419 to material 'promoting a religious viewpoint.' (up 22 since 1999)
*Note numbes do not add up, since a book may be challenged on more than one front. See previous list for examples.
As far as 'Where's Waldo?' Best that I can find is a statement that in a beach scene, one of the women is not wearing her top. Can't confirm it, so I should go to the bookstore and look
The following books were the most frequently challenged in 2002:
- Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling, for its focus on wizardry and magic.
- Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, for being sexually explicit, using offensive language and being unsuited to age group.
- "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier (the "Most Challenged" book of 1998), for using offensive language and being unsuited to age group.
- "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, for sexual content, racism, offensive language, violence and being unsuited to age group.
- "Taming the Star Runner" by S.E. Hinton, for offensive language.
- "Captain Underpants" by Dav Pilkey, for insensitivity and being unsuited to age group, as well as encouraging children to disobey authority.
- "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, for racism, insensitivity and offensive language.
- "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson, for offensive language, sexual content and Occult/Satanism.
- "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred D. Taylor, for insensitivity, racism and offensive language.
- "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George, for sexual content, offensive language, violence and being unsuited to age group.
1,607 were challenges to 'sexually explicit' material (up 161 since 1999);
1,427 to material considered to use 'offensive language'; (up 165 since 1999)
1,256 to material considered 'unsuited to age group'; (up 89 since 1999)
842 to material with an 'occult theme or promoting the occult or Satanism,'; (up 69 since 1999)
737 to material considered to be 'violent'; (up 107 since 1999)
515 to material with a homosexual theme or 'promoting homosexuality,' (up 18 since 1999)and
419 to material 'promoting a religious viewpoint.' (up 22 since 1999)
*Note numbes do not add up, since a book may be challenged on more than one front. See previous list for examples.
As far as 'Where's Waldo?' Best that I can find is a statement that in a beach scene, one of the women is not wearing her top. Can't confirm it, so I should go to the bookstore and look
WayneLigon said:
If the issue were about developing tastes, I'd fully agree. But the issue at hand is content. And it's a sticky issue, that gets very political very, very quickly. The question of what books are appropriate for what ages is not at all simple.
It isn't unreasonable for a parent to question what books the child can access. Nor is it unreasonable for a taxpayer to question what books his or her tax money pays for. Unfortunately, from there on it is a matter of individual opinions, and our form of government has that tricky balance of trying to do what the majority wants while trying to protect folks from the whims of others.
Kesh
First Post
It certainly is an issue. When I was in high school, we had a big row about Stephen King's novels being in the school library. Personally, I loved reading his books... however, some people objected to the content of the books. Specifically, "It" and "Four Past Midnight" contained references to vagrant adults (actually monsters) trying to coerce children into sex acts that Eric's Grandmother would not approve me speaking about.
Several parents tried to get the school board to forcibly remove the books, but after about a week they deemed that it was not content unsuitable for high-school aged persons, though parents could submit a written note to the librarian forbidding their child from checking out said books.
Considering these were all teenagers, who probably should be challenging themselves with harsh situations in literature, I found it a bit insane. Of course, these are the same parents who neutered our sex-ed classes into being totally useless for teaching kids anything but "don't do it."
Since our valedictorian was pregnant and unwed (with the father nowhere in sight) at my graduation, I don't think that was the best strategy on their part.
Several parents tried to get the school board to forcibly remove the books, but after about a week they deemed that it was not content unsuitable for high-school aged persons, though parents could submit a written note to the librarian forbidding their child from checking out said books.
Considering these were all teenagers, who probably should be challenging themselves with harsh situations in literature, I found it a bit insane. Of course, these are the same parents who neutered our sex-ed classes into being totally useless for teaching kids anything but "don't do it."
Since our valedictorian was pregnant and unwed (with the father nowhere in sight) at my graduation, I don't think that was the best strategy on their part.
Particle_Man
Explorer
In Surrey, BC, Canada one school board banned the school library having (or the teacher referring to) books like "Belinda's mums" and "johnny has two dads" or any other book showing homosexual parents. Not homosexual sexual practices, mind you. Just two people of the same gender with kids.
This went all the way to the Supreme Court and they said that you can't ban books on religious grounds.
Then the school board found a way to ban them anyhow, going over little used criteria such as "typeface font too small for children to read".
Then there was a hue and cry and finally the school board allowed other books that had homosexual parents (again, not homosexual sex of any kind. Just parents that were gay).
Then gay marriage became legal in BC and the whole bookbanning looked even stupider.
Just FYI
This went all the way to the Supreme Court and they said that you can't ban books on religious grounds.
Then the school board found a way to ban them anyhow, going over little used criteria such as "typeface font too small for children to read".
Then there was a hue and cry and finally the school board allowed other books that had homosexual parents (again, not homosexual sex of any kind. Just parents that were gay).
Then gay marriage became legal in BC and the whole bookbanning looked even stupider.
Just FYI
