Lots of you across the country are talking about Banned Books Week this week. What do you have to say about book challenges? What should you do when a book is challenged in your own community? What about a challenge in a community far away?
I am alllllll about the banned books! When a book is challenged I feel compelled to read it because it is a true sign of literature that pushes the limits. On one hand it's annoying to see censorship in the works, but in the other hand it's great because we get to voice our opinions and we can still choose to read it. In some countries, if books are banned they are illegal in the entire country! How cool is it that if there is a banned book in America we can still read it and see why the literature is causing a fuss! Jo Scott It's great to have an opinion and challenge a book and I love how someone else can challenge right back.. if that makes sense. If a book is challenged, read it. Chances are it's a good book! Find out for yourself why the book is banned and get an opinion on whether you agree or not! Not everyone has the freedom to do that
I think in a country where our movies are rated, video games are rated, and music is rated when it is "obscene," it's a miracle that books have escaped relatively unharmed from arbitrary ratings from an anonymous, miscellaneous group of censors. While schools may challenge or ban books, people can still go to a book store or library and purchase it for themselves, without any limit placed on them by their age. Written literature remains one of the only frontiers where raw emotion, thought, and action can exist in the way the writer intended- free from outside censorship.
I agree with what you guys are saying. I think that banned books ads an element of interest for some people. Also, I don't really understand the worry about certain topics in banned books when they are showing things that are 10 times worse on everyday television.
Hi Jennifer and students! My students and I have been sharing some really interesting discussions about book challenges and bannings in the last week. We actually used this post as a quick write on Friday and they have a lot to say. Hopefully some of them will post their responses here on Monday. Thanks for including us in the discussions!
I personally think readinq to some people is an advocation,and because of that we shouldnt be only allowed to read certain books(not banned)in school. We should be allowed to read whatever we want, when we want. Instead of worrying about what we're reading i think people should be more focused on aknowledging the fact that we ARE reading.
I think that reading banned books is both a good and bad thing thing to do with the older high school students. For example, my English teacher had us read Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger last year, and I loved it. I was completly supprised when he told us that some high schools have banned it because of the content. On the other hand, the novel Farenheight 451, which is banned in some schools as well, should be banned in all schools. Although I have never read the novel, I have know people who did and they didn't like it at all. From what I hear, it is boring and a very tough read.
Tashoy, I completely agree! Your last sentence nailed it on the head. Anonymous (that I also think is from my school), I agree with your comments on Catcher in the Rye. In regards to Farenheight 451, even though some students find it difficult and boring, I think students should always have the option to read it. It seems you are making an argument that a different book should be taught instead of Fahrenheight 451. However, there are some students that enjoy the book, so it shouldn't be completely banned.
I am alllllll about the banned books! When a book is challenged I feel compelled to read it because it is a true sign of literature that pushes the limits. On one hand it's annoying to see censorship in the works, but in the other hand it's great because we get to voice our opinions and we can still choose to read it. In some countries, if books are banned they are illegal in the entire country! How cool is it that if there is a banned book in America we can still read it and see why the literature is causing a fuss!
ReplyDeleteJo Scott
It's great to have an opinion and challenge a book and I love how someone else can challenge right back.. if that makes sense. If a book is challenged, read it. Chances are it's a good book!
Find out for yourself why the book is banned and get an opinion on whether you agree or not! Not everyone has the freedom to do that
I think in a country where our movies are rated, video games are rated, and music is rated when it is "obscene," it's a miracle that books have escaped relatively unharmed from arbitrary ratings from an anonymous, miscellaneous group of censors. While schools may challenge or ban books, people can still go to a book store or library and purchase it for themselves, without any limit placed on them by their age. Written literature remains one of the only frontiers where raw emotion, thought, and action can exist in the way the writer intended- free from outside censorship.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you guys are saying. I think that banned books ads an element of interest for some people. Also, I don't really understand the worry about certain topics in banned books when they are showing things that are 10 times worse on everyday television.
ReplyDeleteI honestly dont think any books should be banned ever.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer and students! My students and I have been sharing some really interesting discussions about book challenges and bannings in the last week. We actually used this post as a quick write on Friday and they have a lot to say. Hopefully some of them will post their responses here on Monday. Thanks for including us in the discussions!
ReplyDeleteI personally think readinq to some people is an advocation,and because of that we shouldnt be only allowed to read certain books(not banned)in school. We should be allowed to read whatever we want, when we want. Instead of worrying about what we're reading i think people should be more focused on aknowledging the fact that we ARE reading.
ReplyDeleteI think that reading banned books is both a good and bad thing thing to do with the older high school students. For example, my English teacher had us read Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger last year, and I loved it. I was completly supprised when he told us that some high schools have banned it because of the content. On the other hand, the novel Farenheight 451, which is banned in some schools as well, should be banned in all schools. Although I have never read the novel, I have know people who did and they didn't like it at all. From what I hear, it is boring and a very tough read.
ReplyDeleteTashoy, I completely agree! Your last sentence nailed it on the head. Anonymous (that I also think is from my school), I agree with your comments on Catcher in the Rye. In regards to Farenheight 451, even though some students find it difficult and boring, I think students should always have the option to read it. It seems you are making an argument that a different book should be taught instead of Fahrenheight 451. However, there are some students that enjoy the book, so it shouldn't be completely banned.
ReplyDelete