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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

banned books


                                                                                                                          
Dear Ms. Berner,                                      

            Yes, teen fiction can be explicit at times, but it gives guidance to children, when they are going through certain situations. Young adult books over the years, have been banned for its use of sex, drugs, violence, and anti- religious themes. But, we think that by reading teen fiction, it could help children avoid certain issues in the future. We believe that the idea of banning books is ridiculous, because by reading young adult books, it makes teenagers feel like they are not alone.

            For instance in the article, “ Yes, teen fiction can be dark- but it shows teenagers they aren’t alone,” written by Maureen Johnson talks about the idea about how young adult books are created as a guide to teens to show them how certain choices will then affect you for the rest of their lives. For example its states, “there is sometimes no message more critical than: you are not alone. This has happened before.” What Johnson is trying to say is that, it’s easier for kids to relate to a book, because it makes children feel like they have a guide to growing up. This is because, most children feel like it’s much easier to read a book about something there going through, compared to asking an adult and explaining the situation to them about it. In in my opinion books change kids’ lives, and if we don’t get to read certain books those lives will be in danger.

            Another article titled “A teenage guide to stress”, written by Nicola Morgan discuss how reading for pleasure can help take your mind off things you’re worried about. For instance she states, “People who read books for pleasure report that it relaxes them and allows them to switch off their worries.” I believe that the author is trying to say that by reading any book you want for pleasure it will keep your mind off of things. For instance by banning books that kids enjoy, teenagers will be more stressed out about life, because they don’t have a book they enjoy to take their mind off their worries. Also the article points out that if you read every day for pleasure, you will end up getting higher test scores. So if you read for pleasure you will end up benefiting in many different categories of your life.

            However, some may argue that by banning books we are saving our youth from sex, drugs, violence, and mortality. But in reality, we end up sheltering our youth from what really goes on. For instance, recently an article has been published in Vanity Fair discussing how the book The Fault in Our Stars, written by John Green has been banned in some schools. The reason why it was banned was because, some parents felt like children our age should not be reading books about mortality. In the article Green comments on the debate by saying, “I guess I am both happy and sad. I am happy because apparently young people in Riverside, California will never witness or experience mortality since they won’t be reading my book, which is great for them. But I am also sad because I was really hoping I would be able to introduce the idea that human beings die to the children of Riversdale, California and thereby crush their dreams of immortality.” I agree with the parents of Riversdale, California because I feel that children our age should not be worrying about mortality. In reality without these young adult books, teenagers would be very lost and confused on what to do in certain situations

            Teen fiction can be dark, but these texts provide guidance to children, when they need it in certain situations. Without Young Adult books, teenagers would end up being stressed, and they would also feel alone on the problems they are facing. This is because Teen books act as a guide to children so that they will know how to handle these situations as they come up.

Sincerely,

Sarah Pisano 808

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