Banning Children's Books and What it Means to You

Have you ever read The Color Purple, Gone with the Wind, The Lord of the Rings or The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? Did they offend you? Do you believe they were/are a bad influence on you or those around you? Well someone thinks they were/are. The ALA has banned these books from our children's learning institutes. In this 4 part series you will hear from several individuals ranging from Parents, Teachers and Children on their opinions and views of book banning and certain books that have been banned. Please feel free to comment yourself. I would love to hear what you have to say.

Part 1 Book Banning and What it Means to You

Part 2 Banning Children's Books and What it Means to You

Part 3 Banning Adult Books and What it Means to You

Part 4 Banning Reference Books and What it Means to You

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - This book was banned for racism and strong language.

There is a lot to learn about how life was in the South at that time. I don't consider it a racist book as it isn't racism for the sake of it. It is a portrayal of the lives and times it was written in. - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

I read as part of a class. Although I am not fond of early American lit, it is well written and worth a read. I would definitely teach it, with the preface of the N word being used throughout. I would have to remind my students that that particular word was in common use. My child has read this book as well. He read it for 10^th grade lit. He liked it although he said he would not read it again because it was slow getting to the 'action.' Personally, I would not ban this book. It is a good illustration of early American literature. - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

I loved this book. I didn't think it was racist or strong language and I would and do recommend them to my children and others. - Brenda Ryan of Pleasant Grove, UT (Parent)

I agree that children should still be able to read this book. - Rebecca Barboza of Oklahoma City, OK (Student)

This is a classic! I feel that all kids should be REQUIRED to read this (as well as many of the classics) prior to graduating from high school. The "n" word is proper within the content of the story as it was used as part of common language during the time period the story was written. I think keeping others from seeing and understanding how other generations lived and thought does more of a dis-service than allowing them to read and learn about "questionable content". Additionally, I do not agree that the usage of an "objectionable word" should overshadow a wonderfully written story about the coming of age of two young teenage boys who always seem to find themselves in SOME kind of mischief. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Bridge to Terabithia - This book was banned due to profanity as well as it is believed to confuse children about reality and teaches children to be disrespectful.

I've read Bridge to Terabithia with my 9 yr old son. I personally see nothing wrong with Terabithia. Terabithia is an imaginary made up place, if having an imagination is wrong than I suppose we are all guilty of it at some point in our lives. I love Terabithia and see no reason whatsoever why they should be banned. - Lynne G of Lorette, Manitoba Canada (Parent)

This is a great book. My seventh grade class has read this book. (There are so many great books, I have to rotate the ones we read each year!) I think it is a beautiful story and there is much more to it than the reasons it was banned. My son has read this book and it is one he would read again. - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

I found this book enjoyable as did all my children. No one got confused about reality or disrespectful from it. I would recommend. - Brenda Ryan of Pleasant Grove, UT (Parent)

Catcher in the Rye - This book has been banned due to its' sexual content and profanity.

[I] would allow my teenager to read this as most teenagers would easily identify with the confusion and uncertainty surrounding Holden. - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

I love this book! I read for the first time when I was 26 and in English 101 with Dr. Stonnicher. Holden is the troubled teenage boy. I would recommend this book for anyone 16 and older, simply because the subject matter is more appropriate for young adults and older. I have recommended this to my son, but he has yet to read it. - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

This book was required reading for me in my high school years and while I dreaded reading it at the time (too much homework LOL) I am very glad and grateful to my teachers for making it part of the curriculum. This was - and still is - considered a literary classic for a variety of reasons and I feel that the reading of such classics should be ENCOURAGED, not discouraged and I certainly do not recommend or condone the removal of such reading from required reading lists for students. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Daddy's Roommate - This book has been banned due to homosexuality.

I am very much against homosexuality but not against the people that practice it. I would not recommend it but would not ban it either. - Brenda Ryan of Pleasant Grove, UT (Parent)

Forever - This book has been banned due to its' graphic descriptions of sex.

The book handles the difficulties surrounding a growing awareness of your sexuality. It deals with contraception, taking responsibility and shows a teenager sexual relationship in a mature light. At the end of the day, most teenagers are curious and will experiment. If a book like this shows them some responsibility and self-respect then what is the problem? - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

This was the first 'adult' book that I read at the age of 15. I don't remember much about it other than giggling when the young gentleman burned himself putting cologne on his privates. The story line is sweet, although there is graphic sex in the book, it does show the awkward sweetness of first physical love. I would recommend this book to my son, if I thought he would read it. - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

OK, not only did *I* read this when I was about 14 years old, I have actually recommended it to my daughter and one of her friends. It is a poignant tale of a girl's "coming of age" and one of the non-classic books I would recommend all girls in the age range to read. As for it being on the banned books list - as will all the others, it should be REMOVED. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

The Grapes of Wrath - This book has been banned due to its' vulgar language.

I adored this book. It really brought the hardships of the time to life for me. - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

I read this in eleventh grade lit. It is a wonderful book. I think I enjoyed it more when I read it the second time. My son is reading it now for his summer reading, going into eleventh grade, in a different state that I read it. I thought that was interesting! - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

This book was required reading for me in my high school years and while I dreaded reading it at the time (too much homework LOL) I am very glad and grateful to my teachers for making it part of the curriculum. This was - and still is - considered a literary classic for a variety of reasons and I feel that the reading of such classics should be ENCOURAGED, not discouraged and I certainly do not recommend or condone the removal of such reading from required reading lists for students. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Harry Potter Series - This book has been banned due to its' references to witchcraft and violence.

I've read Harry Potter with my 9 yr old son. He was 8 when we started reading Harry P. I personally see nothing wrong with HP series. I love HP and see no reason whatsoever why it should be banned. - Lynne G of Lorette, Manitoba Canada (Parent)

My 12 year old is a huge fan. He has read all the books and seen the movies so far. He appears completely undamaged from the experience. - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

I have read all seven novels. I would read them again. I actually read the first one because my son wanted to read them. With all the controversy, I thought I would read them first. I didn't see anything wrong with them, typical hero cycle story. I recommend them to any child that is looking for a good book. - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

I absolutely LOVED every one of these books and wish the author would write more. I have recommended them to my children and friends and my grandchildren and would continue to do so. I see nothing harmful in this series. It shows the value of friendship and caring and the dangers of not treating others right. I would never ban it. - Brenda Ryan of Pleasant Grove, UT (Parent)

I agree that children should still be able to read this book. - Rebecca Barboza of Oklahoma City, OK (Student)

As a pagan witch, I find the *addition* of this series to the banned books like objectionable to ME. How do you like THAT for a turn around?? This book series has done WONDERS for children in general, especially in regards to "turning kids on" to reading. I think ANY book that does that is a good thing and should NOT be banned. Children are so surrounded by instant gratification and electronic EVERYTHING (TV, iPods, mp3 players, digital cameras, video games) that I feel a coming back to the basics of reading an entertaining story is refreshing. Children's minds and imagination SHOULD be used and encouraged, and this is what these books do - bring the reader IN to the magical world of Harry and his friends as they go along from one adventure to the next. Would I recommend them? Very much so - for all children ages 1 to 100 (and beyond)! - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Lord of the Flies - This book has been banned due to racism.

This really made me think when I studied it at school. It made me think about society and government and the need for law and rules. - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

I have read this book. I surely don't remember anything racist in it, but I would have to reread. It has been a long time! The eleventh grade teacher teaches this novel, so I have not read it in quite a while. I would recommend this to my son. - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

This book was required reading for me in my high school years and while I dreaded reading it at the time (too much homework LOL) I am very glad and grateful to my teachers for making it part of the curriculum. This was - and still is - considered a literary classic for a variety of reasons and I feel that the reading of such classics should be ENCOURAGED, not discouraged and I certainly do not recommend or condone the removal of such reading from required reading lists for students. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Of Mice and Men - This book has been banned due to profanity and racism.

I cried when I read this. It was a deeply moving story and I'd let my son read it. - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

This is tenth grade reading at my school. Great book. I have not read it in a while, but I would definitely read it again. I would also recommend to my son. - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

This book was required reading for me in my high school years and while I dreaded reading it at the time (too much homework LOL) I am very glad and grateful to my teachers for making it part of the curriculum. This was - and still is - considered a literary classic for a variety of reasons and I feel that the reading of such classics should be ENCOURAGED, not discouraged and I certainly do not recommend or condone the removal of such reading from required reading lists for students. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble - This book has been banned due to the fact that the characters are animals and police are pigs.

Banning this is just absurd. Almost as absurd as the attempts to ban noddy as apparently the name 'Big-Ears' is derogatory. To a child a pig is an animal in the same way a donkey is. This is yet another instance of political correctness gone too far. - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

I agree that children should still be able to read this book. - Rebecca Barboza of Oklahoma City, OK (Student)

To Kill a Mocking Bird - This book has been banned due to racism and profanity.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a literary classic. I will read it to my children. This generation needs to learn about what has happened and what continues to happen to our fellow men. - Lynne G of Lorette, Monitoba Canada (Parent)

Again, one has to wonder if the real objection is not the contents of the book but what it says about the mentality of Southern America at that time. - Rags of Scotland (Parent)

I have read the story of Atticus. This is another tenth grade novel. My son had to read it for summer reading before tenth grade. It is a good book. It is semi-autobiographical and interesting. I would recommend to my son, but he has already read it. - Trisha Bodine of Guntersville, AL (Parent and Teacher)

I agree that children should still be able to read this book. - Rebecca Barboza of Oklahoma City, OK (Student)

This book was required reading for me in my high school years and while I dreaded reading it at the time (too much homework LOL) I am very glad and grateful to my teachers for making it part of the curriculum. This was - and still is - considered a literary classic for a variety of reasons and I feel that the reading of such classics should be ENCOURAGED, not discouraged and I certainly do not recommend or condone the removal of such reading from required reading lists for students. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Felix Castillo, Banned and Controversial Books
American Library Association, Banned and/or Challenged Books from the Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century