Book banning, right or wrong?

I was reading something that someone said about some libraries in certain small town are wanting to ban books like, Harry Potter, Little house, and others they feel are not right for children to read.

Do you think our libraries or anyone in that matter should have the right to ban books form your own kids? Shouldn't you as the parent have that choice about on what our kids read? What do you think?

Tags: banning, books, kids, reading

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Maxwell on April 2, 2011 at 9:45pm

I don't think one or a few individuals have the right to speak for the rest of us! Some of the reasons people give for banning a book are simply ludicrous. We live in a free country where we can check out a book or not depending upon our personal judgment systems.

When I taught HS English, The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read choice for our county was Bless, Me Ultima. Of the 5 HS districts, only 2 choice to read the book. The rest rejected it without even cracking the cover. The reason: bad language. They didn't ban it because of the references to prostitution, murder, etc. Anyway, I read the book with my senior class, and it proved to be a wonderful exploration into New Mexico's Hispanic culture. I think the students benefitted from the experience!!!

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Maxwell on April 2, 2011 at 10:23pm

I wholeheartedly agree that common sense should be in place when selecting books for school classes.

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Permalink Reply by Courtney Rene on April 4, 2011 at 1:42pm

I agree with you 100%. There is no reason, whatsoever to ban any book. Free speech is free speech. Its up to me to decide what I think is appropriate for my children and myself to read. It is not anyone elses business or choice.

ctny

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Permalink Reply by Chelsea Thomas Lane on April 3, 2011 at 12:32am

I for one do not believe anyone should have the right to ban a child from reading a particular book. It should be the parent's and childs choice as to what they would like to read.

My opinion anyways.

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Permalink Reply by David H. Donaghe on April 3, 2011 at 12:43am

This is The United States of America. We are supposed to be a free country. No books should be banned. You have the freedom of choice weather to read a book or not.

David H. Donaghe

Author of Monroe's Paranormal Investigations

and The Tale Spinner.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole Etolen on April 3, 2011 at 11:47am

No organization should have the right to ban books. Parents are fully capable of deciding which books are right for their children, and what types of themes that child can handle. I was reading horror novels when I was 9 (oddly enough though, I couldn't watch horror movies until I was 14 because they scared me too much). I went to a Catholic high school with excellent English teachers who encouraged us to read banned books, then discuss how the parts that got it banned in the first place either helped or distracted from the story.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia Williams on April 3, 2011 at 8:53pm

I agree with posters here, a degree of common sense should be employed when teachers are adding books for their class to read, but I think the specific question was about libraries banning books.

Considering most libraries are funded by local/state/federal taxpayers (as far as I know), I don't think they have any right to be banning anything. If you own a bookstore and you don't want to carry "My Two Dads"/(insert whatever hot button, "controversial" issue book), knock yourself out. You're a private business and it's your right. But if you're a public institution, that's going too far. If parents are that concerned about their children reading sensitive materials, be more involved in your child's life. It's *your* job to be a good parent, not a public institution.

I'm reminded of the fact that my cousins weren't allowed to watch the HP movies or read the books because supposedly they "propagate witchcraft (crazy talk imo, but like I said, your kids-your rules). It's my aunt/uncle's right to say their kids can't read them. But if their school/public library decided to take them from the shelves because of some super uber conservative parents, that's just silly and robbing children of discovering some real gems.