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Work Cited For Thirteen Reasons Why

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Preserving Intellectual Freedom
The American Library Association states that the most challenged and restricted reading material have been children books. However, challenges are not merely an expression of a point of view; on the contrary, It is an attempt to remove materials from public use, thus restricting the access to others. Even if the motivation to ban or challenge a book is well intended, the outcome is unfair for everyone else. Censorship denies our freedom as individuals to choose and think for ourselves. For children, decisions about what books to read should only be made by the people who know them best; their parents! (Letter to the Editor). I strongly disagree when people want books banned based on their own opinion of the …show more content…

Parents are censoring books because of sensitive material without realizing that they are hurting their child in more ways than one (Aliprandini). Banning books like Thirteen Reasons Why suppresses young minds and their ability to question difficult topics. According to the website made exclusively for Thirteen Reasons Why, “the novel has been a teen favorite and has inspired anti-bulling discussions in schools across the America” (Thirteen Reasons Why). Jay Asher’s novel takes on teen suicide caused by bullying in a direct matter. A lot of kids suffer and witness bullying and so many readers can relate to the difficulties Hannah Baker, one of the main narrators, faced. This story inspires people to act instead of being onlookers because doing nothing also has serious consequences. Thirteen Reasons Why, vents just how much words and actions can affect people no matter how insignificant and meaningless the action might be (Asher). Banning the book only does harm because what better way to take on such a sensitive topic like suicide and bullying than in a classroom directed and discussed by a teacher. Banning Thirteen Reasons Why can close the door for students to learn about the consequences of their actions. The National Institute of Mental …show more content…

However, it is unconstitutional to impose their morals or judgments on an entire school or community. Even so, mitigating measures can be used to help those parents retain their rights as parents. The school provides various opportunities to do “book previews” on controversial books (Strategies and Tips). The school also provides permission slips allowing the parent to decide if they what their child to read Thirteen Reasons Why or any other book that might contain sensitive material. For the parents that decide not to allow their child to read the novel, there are alternative assignments that can be done instead. The School District also provides guest speakers including an assembly with the author, Jay Asher, that will address the sensitive issues with the students in a straightforward matter. Counseling for students and/or family can also be provided if need so. Anna Agenjo, a concerned parent for Intellectual Freedom, once said, “it’s the right and responsibility of the parent to monitor her child’s education as well as their right to decide what their child should read but their parental privileges shouldn’t extend to the rest of the district students.” (Agenjo). Ana is right and the mitigating measures provide alternatives for those parents concerned with the sensitive material in the book and it is also an alternative to having the

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