Somethings in this world are notsome; Hitler, lies when there is no benefit* and book banners (not all, but most).
Take a selection of young adult fiction. Preferable those aimed at females or gender neutral (I cannot claim to no anything about books aimed at males). You will find these will probably include sex in some way; having sex, wanting sex, discussing sex, friends having sex, learning about sex. Or possibly drugs; taking drugs, watching someone take drugs, a friend taking drugs, being tempted by drugs. This could also go for alcohol or other such things a parent wouldn't really approve of.
These books will not say, HEY YOU TEENAGE GIRL, GET DRUNK, TAKE DRUGS AND HAVE SEX. MULTIPLE TIMES. IT'S SOOOOO GOOD. TRY IT. TRYYYYYY IT.
If they do; those should be banned.
Now, book banners; I have not explained myself there. These are people who think certain books should be removed from school / public libraries. Or at least be moved to another section. This would be fine if the books were not fit for the young adult section they are in, I'm sure in some cases it's a genuine mistake and the book gets more - no problem.
But some times these people are just being plain SILLY.
If they do; those should be banned.
Now, book banners; I have not explained myself there. These are people who think certain books should be removed from school / public libraries. Or at least be moved to another section. This would be fine if the books were not fit for the young adult section they are in, I'm sure in some cases it's a genuine mistake and the book gets more - no problem.
But some times these people are just being plain SILLY.
Some books are YA. They were written for young adults and the librarians - who know what they're doing! - have decided that they are fit for the young adult section.
From my limited research (what I have heard...) it seems that book banners are usually mothers, who read a bit of their teenagers books and think 'core blimey heck; SEX?' and decide that this book is not suitable for their child.
This blog was inspired by Maureen Johnson book's struggle to not be banned, but instead of talk about her book I decided I would go for another author I TOTALLY FANGIRL. John Green. :)
In a video he told the Internet 'I am not a Pornographer'.
His first book, Looking for Alaska**, was going to be taught to eleventh graders at Depew High School. This is not usual as a lot of schools around America teach it. But the teachers etc. at Depew High School thought that some of the scenes in it are a bit controversial so wrote a letter to parents to just make sure it was okay with them to teach it. If they signed the permission slip, the kid reads the book in class. If not, they read another book. Sound like a good plan, right?
From my limited research (what I have heard...) it seems that book banners are usually mothers, who read a bit of their teenagers books and think 'core blimey heck; SEX?' and decide that this book is not suitable for their child.
This blog was inspired by Maureen Johnson book's struggle to not be banned, but instead of talk about her book I decided I would go for another author I TOTALLY FANGIRL. John Green. :)
In a video he told the Internet 'I am not a Pornographer'.
His first book, Looking for Alaska**, was going to be taught to eleventh graders at Depew High School. This is not usual as a lot of schools around America teach it. But the teachers etc. at Depew High School thought that some of the scenes in it are a bit controversial so wrote a letter to parents to just make sure it was okay with them to teach it. If they signed the permission slip, the kid reads the book in class. If not, they read another book. Sound like a good plan, right?
Apparently not.
Some people, not necessarily people with eleventh grade children but whatever, decided this book was a work of PORN. Therefore will cause 'immoral thoughts and actions in children'. Therefore even if the students whose parents have said 'Yeah sure, read the book - is cool' shouldn't be allowed to read the book. In my mind the agreeing parents should be offended - the non-agreeing parents are kinda judging their parenting.
When John Green talks about this, he admits there is one sex scene in it. This shows how disastrous sexual activities of that sort can be; it's awkward and not arousing - the point of porn being to arouse. The point of that scene is the contrast between that scene and the scene that follows it; there is not physical interaction in this scene but a strong emotional connection. He's telling us how it's actually better not to have sex, the emotional relationship is much better. Teenager who have physical relationship without the emotional one are going to have a failed relationship. It's inevitable.
So when their are people going around claiming he's a pornographer; he had a right to be upset. He has written an amazing book that would be great to study in class. Anyone who reads that book can tell it's not suggesting sex is great and we should all have it, even teenagers aren't stupid. We can tell when a book is telling us something. And I would be offended by anyone who suggests I cannot read critically just because I can't, y'know, vote and stuff.
So parents who want to ban books for your teenagers library (as if any are reading this...) I have some advice for you;
Read the entire novel with an unbiased view, if you still feel the book is inappropriate then you can have a case.
Don't think your kid is stupid and cannot think for themselves, we can actually be quite smart sometimes...
If you are worried about certain activities your child could be partaking in, talk to them. It might be easier than you think.
And finally, LIGHTEN UP; we are kids. We are curious about sex and drugs and life. Of course we are - that's what teenagers do. Sometimes we read about that stuff because we AREN'T DOING IT. Nor do we want to, but it's still nice to know what it's all about.
Some people, not necessarily people with eleventh grade children but whatever, decided this book was a work of PORN. Therefore will cause 'immoral thoughts and actions in children'. Therefore even if the students whose parents have said 'Yeah sure, read the book - is cool' shouldn't be allowed to read the book. In my mind the agreeing parents should be offended - the non-agreeing parents are kinda judging their parenting.
When John Green talks about this, he admits there is one sex scene in it. This shows how disastrous sexual activities of that sort can be; it's awkward and not arousing - the point of porn being to arouse. The point of that scene is the contrast between that scene and the scene that follows it; there is not physical interaction in this scene but a strong emotional connection. He's telling us how it's actually better not to have sex, the emotional relationship is much better. Teenager who have physical relationship without the emotional one are going to have a failed relationship. It's inevitable.
So when their are people going around claiming he's a pornographer; he had a right to be upset. He has written an amazing book that would be great to study in class. Anyone who reads that book can tell it's not suggesting sex is great and we should all have it, even teenagers aren't stupid. We can tell when a book is telling us something. And I would be offended by anyone who suggests I cannot read critically just because I can't, y'know, vote and stuff.
So parents who want to ban books for your teenagers library (as if any are reading this...) I have some advice for you;
Read the entire novel with an unbiased view, if you still feel the book is inappropriate then you can have a case.
Don't think your kid is stupid and cannot think for themselves, we can actually be quite smart sometimes...
If you are worried about certain activities your child could be partaking in, talk to them. It might be easier than you think.
And finally, LIGHTEN UP; we are kids. We are curious about sex and drugs and life. Of course we are - that's what teenagers do. Sometimes we read about that stuff because we AREN'T DOING IT. Nor do we want to, but it's still nice to know what it's all about.
This is just one teenage girl's view on book banning; I'm not saying I'm right...
Well, I'm off to sleep away this THROAT OF PAIN (that's not gunna work. I need drugs!)
Well, I'm off to sleep away this THROAT OF PAIN (that's not gunna work. I need drugs!)
But first, I shall leave you with a picture of me while I wrote this blog.
I couldn't find any plastic bowls so I settled with this plastic pan thing I found... Good night my dears
Emma
x x x
*I know, I know; 'Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness' but somethings are okay to lie about
** If you have not read this book, seriously, do. Go and buy / borrow it and experience the wonder that is Looking for Alaska.
*I know, I know; 'Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness' but somethings are okay to lie about
** If you have not read this book, seriously, do. Go and buy / borrow it and experience the wonder that is Looking for Alaska.
LINK TO THE VIDEO IN WHICH JOHN GREEN TALKS ABOUT THAT I SAID ABOUT HIS BOOK BECAUSE I JUST WATCHED THE VIDEO AND WROTE ABOUT WHAT HE SAID. BUT GO WATCH HIM BECAUSE HE IS LOVELY;
PS Have you noticed I don't read my blogs through...
PSS I know that Liam is going to read this because for he reads my blog.. the only person I know that does. Hehe. I love you Li Li. x
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