Banned Books Week

Girls who grew up like me through the late 70s and into the 80s are often surprised to realize that Are You There, God, It's Me, Margaret was once on the banned books list.  Those presently in the greatest question include To Kill A Mockingbird and The Hunger Games, which my daughter had read at school last year.

There are a lot of reasons why books make these lists.  Folks were outraged that Judy Blume would write a book in which a child would question her faith.  And yet, Judy Blume is acclaimed as a write for adolescent girls, who are at a pivotal stage and asking who they are, what they believe and how they fit into this world.  Her books tackle so many stereotypes and bullying and confusing interpersonal relationships, it is hard to believe that a parent would not welcome the chance to have an open discussion with their child from the springboard of a well written book.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a hard book, yet a classic in literary circles.  I personally like happy endings and generally lean toward books where there is at least a little humor.  Bailey had to read it for school, so I warned her that the subject matter was angry, intense and much more, but also a page from the history books of our country we should learn from rather than hide. She did have some questions.  But also asked why that teacher chose all depressing books with angry, abusive subject matter for the year.  I wondered the same.

The Hunger Games is so very popular.  Bailey had read the whole series.  She said it was probably on the list for being somewhat violent.  Somewhat?  More than somewhat.  When Wyatt wanted to read it because some kids from his class were, I thought it was above his reading level to understand, and that he might wait a while.  I will admit that I like that he loves his Boxcar Children books so much.  Funny, The Hunger Games really isn't any worse (in my opinion) than the Utopian theory books I read in High School classes.  Just the new generation of them.

I have known a number of parents who said to me that these books were a part of literary history, and who thought that it was appropriate for their children, at the right age, to read them. They could discuss how those words or subjects fit into their family's morals or belief system together, and the child could understand that approach to history.

So this is Banned Books Week.  And my children are off school.  Makes a great time for reading.  Will a banned book be on their list?  Maybe.  Right now Wyatt is reading a book about positive dog training (his puppy is very high energy) and Bailey has devoted a lot of time to a paper for English, so who knows.  Though we did talk about the significance of Banned Books Week in our culture and free society when we were at the library.  Will one be on your list?