Current:Home > Contact-usOpinion: Books are not land mines-LoTradeCoin
Opinion: Books are not land mines
View Date:2025-01-11 12:42:21
The American Library Association and PEN America say there's been a sharp increase in the number of books pulled from school libraries over the past two years. One complaint that a book is obscene or offensive — from a parent, or, increasingly, a group — can be enough to have it removed from the shelves.
The books that get singled out often feature main characters who are LGBTQIA, or people of color. Many address racism, child abuse, sex, suicide, and other topics that young people may want help understanding.
Some of the most-pulled titles include Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe; The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas; Looking For Alaska by John Green; and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
I wonder if those who want to keep certain books out of school libraries have thought through how many teens and adolescents react when they're told not to read something: they do it anyway. And avidly. They wonder — I certainly did — what are adults trying to keep from me?
If you read an unapproved book, there are no pop quizzes. You don't have to highlight, underline, or answer test questions like, "What is the symbolism of the penguin in the garage on page 87?" There's no 500-word essay, with a thesis paragraph and quotes. You can just enjoy it. Or not. No teacher will scold, "Can't you see it's a classic?" You can read books you're not supposed to for fun, excitement, to learn something, or just to get lost in the story.
But Laurie Halse Anderson, the acclaimed writer of young adult novels, cautions me. Her much-honored novel, Speak, narrated by a teenage rape survivor, has been pulled from quite a few library shelves, too.
"Even if bans or challenges make a book more intriguing," Laurie reminded us, "many of our nation's children will not be able to access books that are removed. Millions of our families can't afford to buy books. Countless families live in library deserts — areas without a reachable public library. And libraries across the country are struggling with horrifying budget cuts."
Libraries are meant to be places where you can wander, browse, try on thoughts, read, reject, rejoice, or simply brood about the world. Books shouldn't be treated like land mines that have to be removed before they can light up our minds.
veryGood! (21)
Related
- Early Black Friday Deals: 70% Off Apple, Dyson, Tarte, Barefoot Dreams, Le Creuset & More + Free Shipping
- Again! Again! Here's why toddlers love to do things on repeat
- Hunter Biden is expected to plead not guilty in a Los Angeles hearing on federal tax charges
- Update expected in case of Buffalo supermarket gunman as families await decision on death penalty
- The USDA is testing raw milk for the avian flu. Is raw milk safe?
- A Denmark terror case has ‘links’ to Hamas, a prosecutor tells local media
- Marvin Harrison's Ohio State football career is over as star receiver enters NFL draft
- Wisconsin Senate GOP leader says state-run medical marijuana dispensaries are a ‘nonstarter’
- South Carolina to take a break from executions for the holidays
- Tennessee lawmakers are at odds after studying rejection of US education money over its requirements
Ranking
- COINIXIAI Introduce
- Nearly 10,000 COVID deaths reported last month as JN.1 variant spread at holiday gatherings, WHO says
- Ariana Madix Details Rollercoaster Journey From Scandoval to Broadway Debut
- Here are the ‘Worst in Show’ CES products, according to consumer and privacy advocates
- Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
- New York City schools feeling strain of migrant surge
- West Virginia advances bill requiring foundation distributing opioid money to hold public meetings
- Oregon's Dan Lanning says he is staying at Oregon and won't replace Nick Saban at Alabama
Recommendation
-
Residents urged to shelter in place after apparent explosion at Louisville business
-
Tesla is raising factory worker pay as auto union tries to organize its electric vehicle plants
-
T. rex fossil unearthed decades ago is older, more primitive relative of iconic dinosaur, scientists say
-
In 1989, a distraught father was filmed finding the body of his 5-year-old son. He's now accused in the boy's murder.
-
Why Dolly Parton Is a Fan of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Little Love Affair
-
Wisconsin Senate GOP leader working on income tax cut for families with up to $200,000 in earnings
-
Suchana Seth, CEO of The Mindful AI Lab startup in India, arrested over killing of 4-year-old son
-
The Excerpt podcast: The diversity vs. meritocracy debate is back