Banned Books: Good or Bad? Banned Books Week has been during the last week of September, dating back to 1982 (Glencoe Public Library). There have been multiple banned or challenged books around the world. For example, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been banned by a public school in Mississippi because it makes people feel uncomfortable while reading. In addition, people celebrate Banned Books Week in libraries or special events. Some books are banned in schools and libraries because they contain uncomfortable topics or offensive language; however, some people believe banned books are worth reading because they incorporate life lessons that students can learn from. First, To Kill A Mockingbird has been banned numerous times in different …show more content…
Procon.org says, “Parents have the right to decide what material their children are exposed to and when” (Banned Books- Top 3 Pros and Cons). In schools, children do not have to read a book if their parents do not want them to because it contains things they do not want their children to hear about at that time of their lives. "Literary works containing explicit sex, oral sex, explicit & violent descriptions of rape, masturbation, vulgar and obscene language" were on the approved reading list for grades 7-12, according to Speak up for Standards, a group seeking age-appropriate reading materials for students in Dallas, Texas” (Banned Books - Top 3 Pros and Cons). Before parents approve a book, children are introduced to it during school. However, their parents might not want them to read it, therefore, parents should know what books their children are reading that year before the children get exposed to it. “Books in the young adult genre often contain adult themes that young people aren’t ready to experience” (Banned Books- Top 3 Pros and Cons). Some books in public libraries include inappropriate topics for children that are younger. Parents would like for their young kids not to learn about violence or drug use until they are older. “Keeping books with inappropriate content out of libraries protects kids, …show more content…
According to the article, “What Are You Doing for Banned Books Week”, “In case you didn’t know, this week, Sept. 27-Oct. 4, is Banned Books Week, and libraries around the country are celebrating — if that’s the right word — with exhibits, readings and other special events” (What Are You Doing for Banned Books Week?). Parents celebrate banned books week because their children aren’t reading about inappropriate topics anymore. They celebrate by visiting libraries in their town or going to exhibits about banned books. “George Orwell’s 1984” was challenged in Jackson County, Fla., because it was considered “pro-Communist” (What Are You Doing for Banned Books Week?). Several books have been banned because they are pro-communists. People don’t think that this topic should be allowed for their children to read in schools. But the champion among challenged or banned books is probably “Catcher in the Rye”: “obscene,” “blasphemous and undermines morality,” “centered around negative activity,” “anti-white,” “a filthy, filthy book” (What Are You Doing for Banned Books Week?). Catcher in the Rye has been banned multiple times just because of its’ profanity. It is considered a filthy book that consists of negative thoughts. “One of the most informative of these lists is “Banned and/or Challenged Books from the Radcliffe Publishing Course, Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century”(What Are You Doing for Banned Books Week?).