If you're familiar with my Sis's blog, you're aware that this week, September 27 to October 4, is National Banned Books Week. It's no secret that I am enthusiastic about reading. Some of my favorite things about school when I was growing up were RIF (a free book to take home? Awesome!) and Book-It (free pizza just for reading some books? Sign me up!). Yes, I did read an entire social studies textbook in one sitting after coming home from the first day of school (second grade, I think). When Grandpa Farr died and the aunts and uncles were cleaning out Grandma and Grandpa's house before Grandma moved east, what was the one thing that Sis and I really wanted from their house, to remember them by? Their set of Little House on the Prairie books. When visiting their other set of grandparents in South Dakota, who has their picture in front of Ma and Pa Ingalls's house in DeSmet, and out in front of some historical marker on the Ingalls's homestead? Two little identical girls obsessed with reading books. We probably read books nonstop on the two-day drive out to South Dakota (scenic Iowa, anyone?).
Were you aware that at one time Laura Ingalls Wilder's books were criticized as "fueling the fire of racism" for their depictions of Native Americans? Attempts were actually made to ban the Little House on the Prairie books. Instead of looking at books like the Little House series and even classics like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from a historical perspective and with respect to the author's frame of reference, some people apparently feel that books should be all lightness and fluff. Those people also believe that books that may be offensive to a few should be banned for all. Those people are an affront to the work of patriots like Patrick Henry, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson who guaranteed our right to read whatever we darn well please by promising authors the freedom of speech and the press in the Bill of Rights.
I work in a middle school filled with nothing but impressionable children. Do I believe that there are books inappropriate for those students to be reading? Yes, at times. Unfortunately, the books that the students should be reading are often frowned upon, while the books that the students should not be reading go unnoticed. True story: a sixth grade student in the study skills class I interpret in had a Nora Roberts book in her possession. I have never read a Nora Roberts book, but I do know where her books are shelved at the public library and I can assume that the subject matter is not appropriate for a sixth grade student. A deaf student with whom I work was reading Mildred D. Taylor's book Mississippi Bridge and was told to return the book to the library because her mother felt that the racial subject matter was inappropriate. Mildred D. Taylor, for those of you unfamiliar with her work, is one of the best children's authors out there. Her work is culturally and historically pertinent, not to mention beautifully written and full of stories about families that aren't dysfunctional.
My point is that reading is a wonderful gift. Books are to be treasured. Realistically, I can't travel the entire world, talk to someone from every culture, inspect every plant and animal, go back in time to meet the pioneers of the American West, etc. I depend on books to gain knowledge and insights into the human experience. Banning books because of fear and hatred isn't the answer.
Check out the American Library Association's list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books from 2000 to 2007.
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3 comments:
Yay RIF! I loved that program, except for when the ladies wouldn't let us pick Laura Ingalls Wilder's books when we were in first/second grade.
I totally hear you on the Nora Roberts/Mildred Taylor issue. Some parents are super involved and others could not care less about what their children are watching/reading/doing. But speaking of appropriate subject matter, how old were you when you read your first Agatha Christie? 'Cause I think you were the same age I was, and I think you read Murder on the Orient Express, in which we all know the victim was stabbed MULTIPLE times. But more importantly, didn't Mom realize we were reading such TRASH? Where were the parents on that one? *shaking head*
And apologies for the "administrator-ing" your comment. I thought it maybe did have the potential to ruffle some feathers (not too likely, but you never know). I still love ya, Sis, and your insights. :o)
And from deepest Peru...Paddington Bear! Did you know that it's his 50th birthday? :o)
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