the content of the non-fiction novel, which detail the brutal murder of a prosperous Kansas farmer and his family are apparently too macabre for some…” (latimes.com). In Savannah, Georgia parents also were the cause for the book to be banned in an English Advanced Placement class, “... a parent complained that it contained sex, violence, and profanity” (weebly.com). This book was mainly challenged by parents because they believed their children were not yet mature enough to handle the book’s
Different types of literature open new doors through which students’ can explore the unknown and expand their knowledge of controversial topics. The great examples found in literature have been the subject of much debate, as school boards wrestle with whether children should be allowed to read such difficult, harsh topics, as said in the article “How Banning Books Marginalizes Children” (Source F). There are so many brilliant works of literature spanning a wide variety of genres and topics, and a single school board should not determine what students learn. No one is proposing that second graders read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but rather that we intentionally choose literature that will expand, rather than limit, children’s options and minds. Not only do these great works lay the groundwork for our future generation, but they also serve to diversify students’ writing and analysis skills.
By the end of 1961, Kennedy led America into what was to be the beginning of the Vietnam War, a long conflict that would cost many American lives. Due to his assassination in 1963, his didn’t live to see it through. In his speech, Kennedy encouraged Americans to be proud that they were of the few generations, “granted the role of defending freedom,” but by 1965, many were disillusioned with what they saw as a costly and pointless cause. Three years later in 1968, nearly all Americans abhorred the war efforts. President Kennedy had much to do, and unfortunately not much time to do it.
This claim exemplifies how some educators think this story is too graphic to be taught about, although everyone needs to learn about it, no matter what. Other schools describe the book as too emotional and triggering. The website describes, “These districts believe that its graphic writing could disturb or trigger any negative responses from the students” (Night: The Banned Book - Subsection 2). Here, the text depicts that the memoir often stirs up triggering emotions for students, which is another reason why Night has been banned in many schools.
“Censoring books that deal with difficult, adolescent issues does not protect anybody. Quite the opposite. It leaves kids in the darkness and makes them vulnerable. Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance .
The inappropriate language used is an issue because children may not understand what the words mean or they may repeat the words in the book which are not suitable for kids of young age. Words such as “Hell” and “damned” could confuse young readers in the religious context that they are used and at such a young age the belief is that children should not be exposed to cursing. Parents can get skeptical on this certain topic because they don’t want their little ones repeating bad words or acting out as the characters in the book display. On the opposing side, the book isn’t meant to be harsh and scary for a child but the purpose is to get a glimpse into the real world, not just a world of imagination and perfectness. The world is full of imperfects and it is important that children get a brief understanding of the real world, a world with cursing and
One specific piece of children’s literature that demonstrates this is Benno and the Night of Broken Glass by Meg Wiviott. Her choice of language was hard to establish all the way, and this is shown in: “insert quote here, I will do this in class because I do not have access at home to this book.” Wiviott’s wording and tone was deliberately chosen to be directed towards kids,
Even though some of today's books are written in blood they are too dark for kids at a young age. Juveniles should not be taught these horrendous things that our literary world teaches them. Megan Cox Gurdon writes, “Go ask Alice,” this novel recounts a girl’s spiral into drug addiction, prostitution, rape, and fatal overdose”. Youth should not be exposed to tragedies like these. What happens if a little girl reads this for school or another activity, and thinks that it is alright to experience these things or pressure someone into doing a harmful thing.
but the book has also sparked wild discussions about its content and if it should be taught in schools across the country. Although The Catcher In The Rye presents strong sexual themes and vulgar language, these aspects showcase the characters ' deepest emotions while staying true to the human experience and the power of language. The very same issues that cause the catcher in the rye to climb the banned book list, sexual themes and vulgar language, are exactly the things that make this piece worth teaching in high school curriculums, as they show readers the truest
There is a lot of violence that takes place in the novel We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier that would mostly likely make parents worry about its appropriateness for young readers. In the novel a group of boys trash the house of innocent people and in evidently ends putting a nice, young girl in coma. Though the book does not glorify the violence done by the boys, and the author perfectly shows one of the boys experiencing a large dose of guilt over his action. It might have been how the young boy deals with his guilt that turned parents away from the novel. The underage boy uses alcohol to cope with his guilt and the author describing him drinking several times in the novel.
The book Where the Sidewalk Ends and the poem “Kidnapped” by Shel Silverstein is inappropriate for children is because of the frightening content and may give children fears for all strangers. The poem describes scenes that are too graphic for young minds, giving them thoughts of being, “Dragged me from the car down to some cold and moldy basement, where they stuck me in a corner” (18-20). This quote gives horrific images of being kept as a prisoner and being kidnapped, which could give children nightmares and terrifying thoughts. Also, children may be uncertain about what strangers are safe and which are not after reading scenes like , “ They stopped me on the sidewalk, and offered me some candy, and when I wouldn't take it they grabbed me
A parent or the student should be the one who decided whether or not the book is appropriate. Also, when a child is sheltered from the world, a book with just a bit of adult material could help them understand what really happens. It could prepare them so when they do become older and get a job, the world doesn’t put them into complete shock. Taken from Common Reasons for Banning Books, “…it is important that the reader makes his/her judgments on the book.” To elaborate on this, another person shouldn’t tell a student what and what not to read.
Children should not read inappropriate material because children may think the actions are acceptable, it sends a bad message, and they are not mentally ready enough. Children often read books because they want to imagine themselves as the characters
Having not yet read the book my self, I immediately thought, "How graphic is 'too graphic'?" I wondered what exactly parents were afraid of. Yes, child molestation is a difficult and uncomfortable subject, but if the book is read in the classroom
Children’s literature is the body of written works and accompanying illustrations produced inorder to entertain and instruct young people. The fundamental goal of children’s literature is to instruct and entertain. It covers various diverse themes such as mystery, fantasy and war. Some themes are discernible to the young reader, whereas some are more likely to be understood by an adult reader. This means that children’s literature is accessible to all ages, with different pieces of information within the text becoming clearer each time it is read.
