Book banning essay by A. Arbona

Dear Ms. Berner,

It has come to my attention that some sixth grade parents are attempting to pull some Young Adult fiction from the sixth grade library. This is strange, as pulling books from our libraries is the exact opposite of what schools are supposed to do. Schools are supposed to open gateways of knowledge, both pleasant and harsh, so that the readers can use the knowledge acquired to guide them throughout their lives.

Yes, young adult fiction explores mature content, but that is what these book are supposed to demonstrate, mature and harsh issues that affect teens. Ellen Hopkins (author of Crank) mentions in her article “Anti-Censorship Manifesto” that she has read “tens of thousands of messages from readers, thanking me for turning them around, giving much needed insight, and even literally saving their lives.” Similarly, in his article called “Why All the Best Books are Written in Blood,” Sherman Alexi states that “there are millions of teens who read because they are sad and lonely and enraged. They read because they live in an often-terrible world. They read because they believe, despite the callow protestations of certain adults, that books-especially the dark and dangerous ones-will save them.”  Banning these books takes away teens’ ability to think for themselves.  By trying to protect them you are actually denying them information that may show them how to believe in themselves and not lose hope.

Many times, books are banned because of parents’ misinterpretations and lack of knowledge about the books.  Adults will blindly attack books that they have not even read. In “Book Under Fire,” a segment of ABC news, the reporters cover a school which is attempting to ban a book called “Fahrenheit 451” not because of any reason you might think of, but because it talked about burning the bible, while in reality the book condemns such censorship. It is a common occurrence that a parent or child doesn’t read a book and then assumes that it is offensive towards them based on a few passages taken out of context. An example of this is in the news segment “Banned in Stockton” by HTV magazine where a high school bans the book The Absolutely True Diary of A Part Time Indian because they think that the story is about child pornography while it isn’t even remotely related to that subject. In fact, it is about a Native American boy overcoming his physical disability, and oppression.   

Meghan Cox Gurden states in the Darkness is Too Visible, “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.” If that statement were true, then this world would have no social issues such as racism, homophobia, peer pressure, economic pressure, and felony, sexual abuse and drug abuse. Young adults need to be taught about these issues as in the future they will encounter some of these issues, and they will need guidance, guidance which only people who have gone through the same can give.

In conclusion, Ms.Berner, the sixth graders should have access to any book in the Young Adult fiction category.   School is the gateway of knowledge and sixth graders need to learn about what could happen to them out in the world. These books provide guidance and reassurance to the readers that they are not alone, and the books will teach them how to make decisions for themselves now, and in their future.