We are supporting the 30th Banned Books Week (Sept. 30th to Oct. 6th) here at the Lake Forest Library. The library proudly supports the freedom of readers to choose what they want to read. But the world isn't black and white. Parents may or may not have legitimate concerns over what their children read. Many instances of challenged and banned books can be found in the recent century, here are a few examples:
- Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
- Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- Slaughter-House Five by Kurt Vonnegut
- Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Should others have a hand in censoring certain books or are people (and children with parental guidance) responsible enough to make their own choices?
Tell us in the comments.
2 comments:
I think that children with parental guidance are able to regulate themselves well enough. Just because I don't think my child should read something doesn't mean there isn't an appropriate reason for another child to read the book.
People should have the right to read whatever they choose, whether it be a classic tale or a graphic novel. Censoring book only decreases access, which isn't really the purpose of the institution or library to do so. Libraries are meant to be a freer place for the community, not a place for others to put upon restrictions.
As for children with parental guidance? I think it does depend on the child's maturity level and the parents' personal preferences. There's a fine line that parents do have to walk so they don't become censors themselves, but they should recognize their children's maturity level when deciding whether he or she is ready to read a certain book. For example, I know someone who has a very precocious daughter who read Anne Frank's Diary in third grade. This little girl is definitely wiser beyond her years, so she was mature enough to tackle such material. It's different for every child, but if you think they're ready to read, understand, and handle the emotional impact of a book, then let them have at it.
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