Books and Bites: Banned Books Edition
No one has silenced me about banned books–I am just really, really late in posting my featured titles from the Books & Bites a couple of weeks ago.
Where shall I start? There have always been books that some people have not liked. There have always been some people who think that they know what is best for other people. Put these two things together and you have challenged or banned books. It is interesting to note that 34 of the Best 100 Books of all time as chosen by Modern Library are reported by the American Library Association as challenged and/or banned. Could it be that these books are the best because they tackle tough issues, make people think–and that makes some people uncomfortable?
That said, the first book is one that appears on Modern Library’s list–Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Those of you who watch Lost might really dig this book. It is about the survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island. The survivors must figure out a way to do everything–make shelters, find food, designate toilet areas, divide up work, set priorities–and it gets very, very messy. Did I mention that these survivors are all boys between the ages of 6 and 12? No adults survived. The main characters to know are Ralph–a boy who was always well-liked with natural leadership qualities–who does get elected “Chief” by the other boys. Piggy, Ralph’s second-in-command–an overweight boy who is used to being teased but who has some really great ideas about survivng on the island. And finally, Jack–leader of the choirboys-turned-hunters, who thinks he should be Chief instead of Ralph. The group of boys gets split into two camps–those who think keeping a rescue fire lit is most important and those who think hunting the wild pigs for meat to eat is most important. Things get really ugly…
Why was it banned/challenged? I think it’s because it is disturbing for adults to think that children could become so hateful to each other. The book seems to say that human nature is to enter into conflict and lash out violently. Some people aren’t comfortable with that idea.
Next up is What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonia Sones. This book is about Sophie, a 15-year-old-girl who shares the joys and sorrows of dealing with boyfriends, friends, and her parents (esp. mom). The poetry format makes the book a quick read, and Sonia seems so much like a real girl you could meet in your own town.
What doesn’t Sophie want her mother to know? Well, with a big dance coming up Sophie and her mother went shopping together for a dress. Sophie reluctantly agreed to get the yellow dress with little roses on it that her mother liked instead of the sleek back number that she loved. Sophie saves her own money, buys the black dress, and plans to change into it beofre the dance and change back again without her mother ever knowing. And we all can guess what happens… This book also includes a mystery man/secret love for Sophie.
Why was it banned/challenged? Sexual content. Yes, there’s kissing. I don’t want to give too much away, but Sophie’s breasts are mentioned twice–not quite how you might think. And I suspect that challengers also don’t like the fact that she lied to her mother. Honestly, there is nothing in the book that deserves an “R” rating, and maybe not even a “PG-13″–in my opinion.
And for last, I have saved the most frequently challenged book series in the U.S. from 1990-2000, as reported by the American Library Association. Almost everyone at Chiddix Junior High School has read one of these books–or had one of the books read to him/her. Drumroll, please….Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. For those very few of you who don’t know, the Scary Stories books are made up of 1-4 page stories that focus on ghosts, witches, strange occurences, and other Halloween-type things. Many of the stories come from folklore or urban legends.
Why was it banned/challenged? Ghosts, witches, strange occurences, and other Halloween-type things. Some people can’t tolerate any mention of those things. That’s why the Harry Potter books have been challenged.
So there you have it, three “banned books” on the shelves of CJHS IMC–ready for all you rebels to check out. I even have more than one copy of each.
Let me close with one of my favorite quotes about the subject:
Mission: Accomplished
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