Title: What Makes a Banned Book? | Education.com
Headings: What Makes a Banned Book?
What Makes a Banned Book?
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Content: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou for sexual content. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky for homosexuality, sexually content, and offensive language. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain for racism. Off the list in recent years, but included in years past, are the Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Beloved by Toni Morrison. Banned for younger readers were The Great Gilly Hopkins and Bridge to Terabithia, both by Katherine Paterson. Deborah Davis, author of many teen novels including, Not Like You, objects to the practice of banning books: “ Perhaps people who object to teens reading thoughtfully-written books dealing with sexual or racial issues are ashamed that they haven’t been responsible or mature enough to teach their children or students about these subjects themselves.” Says Davis, “Would they prefer we stick our heads in the sand and abdicate our responsibility to help young adults learn for themselves what they truly think and feel about those issues?” As parents, it’s up to you to decide how you want your children to learn about certain tough topics. But take a second to think back.