In a time when books are increasingly being questioned or pulled from shelves, the words of author Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) strike a powerful chord: “All books are problematic. Every single piece of writing is upsetting to someone.”
When I first heard of book banning, I got scared, thinking that the police were going to come into my house and rip the book out of my hands like something out of a movie. But that’s not really what it means when a book is “banned. The most popular definition of a book ban, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is “The practice of prohibiting or restricting the reading of certain books by the general public or by members of a local community or religious group.”
That can mean many different things, but one popular method is by preventing the libraries and schools that previously had those particular books from buying new copies… Meaning, if someone damages or loses the book, they won’t buy a new copy or pay to fix it, and that title will slowly disappear from the shelves. Before a book is fully banned, it is challenged.. The library must decide whether to keep the book by going through a legal process or dispose of it completely.
Here are five frequently banned books that every teen should read at least once.
“The Hate You Give” by Angie Thomas
Published in early 2017, “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas was adapted from a short story Thomas wrote as a student in 2009 following the killing of an unarmed 22-year-old African-American man, Oscar Grant. “The Hate U Give” was Thomas’s first young adult novel, and after its release, the book hit The New York Times Bestseller List, launching her to international fame.
In 2018, “The Hate U Give” began to receive negative attention. At a school board meeting in Katy, Texas, a parent made a public complaint about the book, prompting the independent school district to remove it from all its libraries. The teachers and librarians took to the media to complain about the censorship, which produced an uproar. A student then started a petition that gathered over 3,700 signatures to have the book reinstated in the library. The superintendent held firm in his claim that the book was pervasively vulgar and should be censored, but after about three months, the book was placed back on the shelves with a rule that students could only read it with parental consent.” To this day, “The Hate U Give” continues to be challenged and removed from libraries all over the U.S.
“A Court of Thorns and Roses” By Sarah J. Mass
When “A Court of Thorns and Roses” was first released, it received numerous positive reviews; however, as time passed, people began to take a more critical look at the book. Some said it was overly romantic, and others criticized the main character for being selfish and making poor decisions. When the whole series was released, some streaming services showed interest in adapting it into a TV show, but the project was eventually scrapped for reasons unknown to the public. When I chose this book, I knew it would be difficult to defend because it’s a romance novel. Personally, I believe this book should not be categorized as a young adult book. Although the young adult age range is typically 12 to 18, I don’t think this book is appropriate for anyone under the age of 15. Interestingly, when I first read the book, I didn’t enjoy it much. However, the second time around, I paid attention to the story, and it completely captivated me. I found myself so intrigued that I couldn’t put it down. I feel that if you enjoy fantasy and a touch of romance, you will love this book just as much as I did.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” By Harper Lee
Published in 1960, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by American author Harper Lee. The story follows Jean Louise Finch, also known as “Scout,” a young girl growing up in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression. “To Kill a Mockingbird” became an instant bestseller and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. The book gained widespread popularity in schools and is now considered a classic of American literature. The book started to get more attention, and when it did, people had a problem; they were concerned about the language used in the book and the way that the book showed racism and violence. Many were also worried since a rape allegation drove the plot. I still believe that more people should read this book, despite its age. Its message about justice, empathy, and standing up for what is right is good and should still be taught in schools and books today.
Concrete Roses By Angie Thomas
The book “Concrete Rose” centers on the origin story of Maverick Carter, Starr’s father, the main character in “The Hate U Give.” The story is a prequel that takes place 17 years before the events of the book, and follows Maverick as he navigates life in a tough neighborhood where gang culture, poverty, and responsibility weigh heavily on young Black men. With his father in prison, Maverick feels pressure to uphold the Carter family name by staying involved with the King Lords gang. At the same time, he’s trying to balance school, his relationship with his girlfriend Lisa, and the dangers of the streets. I love this book so much, and it shines a powerful light on what young Black fatherhood can look like and how even one small decision can change your life or someone else’s forever. When I heard that this book was being banned and challenged in libraries and schools, it broke my heart. Unfortunately, “Concrete Rose” isn’t the only book by Angie Thomas facing this kind of backlash, and it makes me wonder how that affects her as a writer and whether it might discourage her from continuing to tell stories that are real, important, and needed.
Animal Farm – George Orwell
Animal Farm by George Orwell may look like an inoffensive story about barn animals, but don’t be fooled. “Animal Farm” revolves around a farm called Manor Farm run by Mr. Jones. Two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, grow tired of their mistreatment and rebel, taking over the farm and renaming it Animal Farm. The pigs claim that they will create an equal society, but over time, Napoleon becomes increasingly cruel and controlling on “Animal Farm.” He runs off Snowball and employs propaganda to keep everyone on his side. The other animals start to get suspicious, saying that the pigs are becoming more like the humans, as they see them walking on two legs. Secretly, they began living in the house and engaging in shady deals with people and animals. Soon enough, people want to ban animal farms for three main reasons: politics, censorship, and fear of rebellion. This book was relevant then, and it’s appropriate now, as places like China and North Korea, which both have corrupt communist governments, have the book banned because it criticizes the very practices of dictatorship, censorship, and propaganda that these countries use to assert control over the masses.
But that’s not the only place places like the UAE and Malawi have it banned and its been banned in the soviet Union for about 40 years, even in areas in the US like Bay County, Florida the book was and is still banned because it displays themes of workings and ripple effects of a corrupt government. It includes scenes of violence and rebellion, but that’s precisely what Orwell wanted: he wanted people to question the authority they are under, and propaganda and loyalty that strengthen complicity. It may be challenging to grasp at first, but you will begin to understand the important themes and symbolism as you continue reading, which is why I believe this is an essential book that everyone should read.
The reason books are banned mostly stems from a fear of change or the truth. History shows that governments banned books to try and “protect” society, but all it does is limit and keep people subordinate to their rulers. The books discussed today challenge readers to think critically, empathize deeply with others, and view the world in ways we hadn’t seen before. D
During my interview with a friend of mine, Madison Mason, 13 years old, she said she feels scared that books are being banned, and that it’s essential to discuss the things most people ignore.
The post VOX 5: Banned Books that You Should Read appeared first on VOX ATL.
