Banned Book Research Paper

Although times are changing and society is learning to adapt to the free minds of the younger generations, much is still restricted from the public eye. For example, a list of “banned books” exists containing hundreds of novels that have been removed from libraries and classrooms. Before the books become banned, they are challenged by a group of people who feel strongly that the book is not appropriate for today’s curriculum. Among these books is Looking for Alaska by John Green, which should not be banned because it implements the use of upper-level vocabulary, involves real-life problems and solutions, and causes readers to look at life from a new perspective.

Banned books are a topic of controversy, especially Judy Blume’s Tiger Eyes. Through this novel we follow the journey of Davey Wexler, who tries to pick up the pieces and overcome her father's sudden and tragic death. Adam, her father, was killed in an armed robbery, and though the Wexler’s attempted to handle their grief independently, they were forced to live with their Aunt Bitsy and Uncle Walter. A book can be banned for a number of reasons, but overall the main cause is based off of opinions of what someone defines as controversial or explicit. But that isn’t very logical because we all have different standpoints and are all equally valid; so why should one opinion, or group of peoples deter you from

Banning Books go way back to burning of books and writings. The first know banned book is The Meritorious Price of Our Redemption by William Pynchon in the

First, the author argues, “When engaging in critical literacy, readers question reality and entertain multiple perspectives about particular topics, attitudes, and behaviors” (Graff). Challenged and banned books are beneficial to readers. These banned books help students evaluate more difficult pieces of literature, which could be used in the future. Jennifer Graff states, “...Book censorship helps us think critically about the power of the written word as well as the relationships between individuals, texts, and contexts, to paraphrase Lawrence Sipe (1999)” (Graff). Banned and challenged books allow readers to see the truth--from the past, future, or present--written by the author. Readers can apply these ideas to real-life situations successfully. In the article, On Reading and Sharing Banned Books, the topic of “...heightened sensitivity about what and how we say things,” and needing, “ongoing conversations about how literature can be part of our lives without undue stress and controversy” is exposed (Graff). Books are written for many reasons, to inform persuade, entertain, and relax; however, with books censorship, finding relaxing or entertaining books is extremely difficult. Without censorship, readers could easily discuss these now controversial topics without worry. The purpose of the book, good moral, and potentially

The article was written on the meaning of why books are banned and why The Grapes of Wrath was as well. Roberts talked about how the American Library Association tracks what books have been banned from school curricula and public library systems. The Grapes of Wrath was banned, challenged, and burned due to its religious views, communist thinking, sexuality, and violence. Steinbeck’s piece won him a Nobel peace prize, but yet parents still argue that the book shouldn’t be read due to its content.

In the Western World, “Banned Books Week” is a relatively new quasi-holiday celebrated each year in late September. For the duration of the week, people are encouraged to read and learn about books that have been challenged or banned for their content, be it slightly controversial or downright blasphemous. For the first time in history, controversial books are beginning to be celebrated for their thought-provoking nature rather than shunned for their risqué content. Over the years, some of the most critically acclaimed classics, including J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, have been banned for reasons ranging from foul language, to overt sexual and violent themes, to references to the occult (“Banned”).

Many significant novels have unfortunately been challenged/ banned at a certain point in time. Most of these literary classics face this because some contain sexual references, religious intolerance, and inappropriate language. In some cases, books are being pulled off shelves because people believe that they were “tangibles of instruction” or the reason being was as a precaution towards a possible public attack which took effect in Tucson for the Mexican American Studies (source:8). Another case is the Mozert v. Hawkins County Board of Education; Christian sewed the board because they believed that the required textbooks hurt their beliefs (Source:8).

Since 1982, there have been 11,300 books challenged in the United States. As the number of challenged books continues to rise, society’s exposure to diversity in literature decreases. According to the American Library Association, 51% of the top ten challenged books between 2005 and 2014 featured “diverse content.” Diverse content is defined as works featuring either non-white, LGBT+, or disabled primary characters, or discussions of issues in relation to race, religion, LGBT+ matters, mental illness and/or disabilities, among many other defining characteristics. Censoring such books has the potential to fundamentally stunt the personal growth of society, though many may feel certain information and topics must be censored for the safety of

The problems with banned books has been a controversial issue between parents as well as adults. The concerns that parents have are with the fact that these certain books are to be banned to keep their kids from being exposed to some of the ways of the world. Some of the concerns that these parents have are with usage of some derrogatory words or lanuguage not preferrred by some parents. The things that parents fail to realize is that by law, a librarian has the responsibility that they must uphold; including their responsibilty to the stocking of books on their shelves. I would take the side of the librarian because their position would be worthless because their rights would be useless, and their job would

On the other hand, some people argue that book censorship is a violation of their constitutional right to freedom of speech, and the right to self expression. One article puts its effects this way, “Permitting restraints on literature sets the stage for attacks on all expression that is artistically or politically controversial or that portray unpleasant realities of life.” This,

Even though our world is getting more and more connected, censorship still remains one of the top issues that separate people from reading books. Books are the spreader of both bad and good knowledge and I believe that we should no longer contain or ban books just because they are offensive to certain groups in America. The debate on challenged books is a hot topic in America because the country is founded on a basis of freedom of speech.

“It’s not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written, the books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers” (Blume 1999). Judy Blume can not explain the problem of book censorship any clearer. The children are the real losers because they are the ones that are not able to read the classic works of literature which are the backbone of classroom discussions all across the United States.

The subject of censorship is a very controversial one, especially the banning of books. Many people believe they must protect themselves and others from the "evils" of many classic books and works of art because they can be deemed "indecent" in one way or another. Many believe that this is absurd and censorship in its current form is a violation of our First Amendment right to free speech. Personally, I align myself with the latter, however I do feel there are occasions where censorship is justifiable.

Every year, hundreds of books are challenged, banned, and/or removed. According to American Library Association, more than 11, 300 books have been challenged, banned, or removed in schools and libraries across the country since 1982. The reasons why books are banned were discussed during an interview between Time For Kids and the director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, James LaRue. "Books are banned because they fall under one of these categories of controversy: Religion, Sexual Content, Profanity, or Race." (LaRue, 2016). Many books that have been banned, at one point in time, fall under one these categories. Some more well-known books included: The Holy Bible, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill

Every year hundreds of books are banned in public libraries across the nation. Library censorship and it's justification have been long debated throughout the years, however books contain the past, the present, as well as the future, and need to be saved and kept public. Books are not the only thing being affected in libraries, music, movies, magazines, and more are also being censored and banned.