How have you been celebrating? What are your favorite controversial works? Here are a few of my most beloved:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky since its publication has been banned and challenged regularly for obvious (once you've read the novel) but not acceptable reasons (drugs, alcohol, sex, depression, smoking, abortion, relationship abuse). These are all subjects teens will encounter growing up; by censoring literature that depicts this nothing is being gained.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, often banned for witchcraft by some extremely unimaginative individuals. These are the most frequently challenged/banned books of all time!
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is often censored for themes of death and Satanism
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card for one instance of strong language and supposed sexual themes that either do not exist or are very cleverly hidden
Looking For Alaska by John Green banned for (again) some obvious but not excusable reasons. Things shouldn't be censored just because they contain material already available to teens through culture (also, congratulations to John for making the Top Ten list of banned books for the year!)
In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak again for these supposed sexual themes and for illustrated nudity. Yes, this the classic children's book we all know and love. Who knows, maybe it is as terribly explicit as it has been accused of being.
I also found out that Of Mice and Men is frequently banned as well but I am not too concerned as I despised every word of it. Sorry John Steinbeck.
One common thread that these censored books all share is their honesty. I think that the people who complain so adamantly about these works are trying to shelter their readers from whatever truths are expressed in the books. What they don't realize is that by being exposed to these books they are safely able to explore these topics, and maybe be able to apply what they find to their own worlds.
I think J.K. Rowling does a nice job of summarizing the reverse effects of censorship in Order of the Phoenix when a magazine containing a certain article becomes banned from Hogwarts. Hermione is thrilled, telling Harry "If she could have done one thing to make absolutely sure that every single person in this school will read your interview, it was banning it!"
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