This is Banned Book Week. While books are being banned year round by schools, government and other organizations we like to take a bit of time out of our week to honor and lift these books up a bit. To celebrate our freedom to read what we want. In 2014 alone, over 300 books were reported to ALA as either banned or at least challenged by schools or libraries.
Now books banned in one's individual house, by one's parent or guardian I can understand. BUT only if they have either read or thoroughly understand the book. I do not think a school, library or organization should have a say in what we choose to read. But if a parent feels a book is unsuitable for their child I do believe in respecting that. Yet they should know why they are saying no. 'Because I said so' doesn't cut it. Be able to give a valid reason and hopefully better than you heard there was some minor discrepancy. Saying "I heard this book has violence" isn't very good. The book might have a simple punch in the nose or something. Yet if you know of a very explicit murder/torture scene, that shows a deeper understanding of what/why you are saying no. Does that mean the whole class cannot read a book? No. Just the child who's parents said no. No teacher, boss, babysitter, etc should say no for a child. Only the parent. Otherwise, I am completely against banning a book. No organization should have that say.
So for this giveaway I am giving away a box package of books that have been banned. Or 1 banned book from this site of the winner's choice will be sent via The Book Depository. Giveaway is International.
If you choose the box, you will get these books(sorry camera still hates my computer so no actual pics):
Plus a few bookmarks :)
Be sure to read my rules page for giveaway details!!! Be sure answer all parts of the comment for your first entry to count! For comments- be sure they are meaningful and complete!! August's giveaway I did over 20% of entrants were disqualified for not entering following the requirements.
ReplyDeleteI think every reader should read these books:
- The Harry Potter series, The Giver series - because magic and meaning improtant.
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - because they are beautiful, but sad stories.
(I prefer fantasy books, but I'll read Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm as soon as I can buy.) I think banned books are cool books for youth. If I say "but it's banned" they will be excited about them. I could discussed my books with my mother or my teachers when I was young, this is important - young likes to ask about things and need somebody who can answer to him/her.
I think that everyone should read Harry Potter, but that Looking for Alaska should be banned.
ReplyDeleteBRAVE NEW WORLD by ALDOUS HUXLEY is a banned/challenge book I think every reader should read.
ReplyDeleteLOLITA by VLADIMIR NABOKOV should be banned or at least read with caution for youth.
Banned/challenge book I think every reader should read has to be Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Books should never be banned at all and it would just give the wrong people more power. I do believe there is at least read with caution for youth like Speak to an 7th to 8th grader. I thought I was protecting my sister from reading it but found out she knew about rape since a class mate went through it. It just makes you think that not everyone path is the same as everyone. Books give us more opportunities to learn from others and to escape to another world.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read To Kill a Mockingbird because its an excellent book with a lot of great messages that need to be heard. I don't believe that books should be banned. I think that books that are obviously not written for youth (such as 50 shades of grey for instance) should not be read by youths, but that doesn't mean that I think it should be banned. There is an audience for everything, and you need to look at that the subject matter and who the author meant their audience to be when deciding what books to allow or disallow in the classroom. (Andrea Amy)
ReplyDeletei think every one should read the lord of the rings by Tolkien because there are several levels of reading and we all need to dream and hope.
ReplyDeleteWhich book should be banned for youth? No one. i'm not saying that every book can be read by everyone either but it's more a personnal decision i think. there are book that soem would find too dark even when there are adult while some younger oen would be able to read said book and see it for what it is. more difficult book can be read when you can also discuss it after
but that someone say no to a book for such stupid reason as religion etc makes me cringe. Because reading does open teh mind, books can help to explain things by using other worlds with same situation to make us think about it and react
of course i would prefer for example that books with detailled sex scene are not asked to be read in school for example because no every person have the same maturity but if someone think he/ she is ready for a book she/ he should be free to read it the world of boosk is so vast that there is something for every one out there
thank you a lot for the giveaway
The call of the wild and the color purple should still be read but I believe the lord of the flies should be read under adults supervision.
ReplyDeleteI honestly NEVER read a banned book before so I can't really answer the book. As for the second question, I don't have specific books but we shoudl definitely have age minimums for certain books because young kids are influenced very easily and maybe wouldn't understand that it's not REAL but fiction.
ReplyDeleteBetul E.
I think the Color Purple and the Giver should be read. both make the reader think. as far as banning books I don't believe any should be banned. My parents would read what I brought home from school and the library so they knew what I was reading and in case I had any questions. I think this is good practice, because parents seem to know what age/maturity level works best for their kids, but to ban them, no
ReplyDeleteFahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury should be required reading. As for banning books, I don't believe any books should be banned. However, I do believe parents could make a child wait if they believe books are not age-appropriate (although my parents never did this), or possibly language-appropriate.
ReplyDeleteThirteen Reasons Why should be read by all. As for a book to be banned, it would be ones that promote pervisity.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a little ridiculous to ban books, although I do think it should be up to libraries' discretion to what they have available. Any individual should be able to read what they please, but I can understand why certain libraries would feel uncomfortable offering certain titles. But that can be a real limitation to what children have access to. It's a tricky question. I really enjoyed Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. It was very insightful.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read The Giver! I don't believe in banning books or putting age restrictions. It should be up to the parents to give guidance and discuss book contents with their kids.
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter and Lord of Rings, I believe are the two series everyone should read at least once. As for banning books, people should have the liberty to decide whether they want to read a book or not.
ReplyDeleteEvery reader should read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to know America, and Gone With The Wind to understand the myth of the American South.
ReplyDeleteThe Color Purple is a life-changing read. I feel that no books should be banned, but naturally, age advisories should still apply. Many books contain sensitive material, and if it is bothersome, the beauty of a book is that it can always be put down and not read at all. For example, I don't enjoy the horror genre. Books or movies. So I don't read or watch books or movies in the horror genre. But I would not suggest banning all forms of he horror genre because they disturb me. How ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read Harry Potter. I don´t think any book should be banned, it´s up to the reader to decide.
ReplyDeleteI don't think books should be banned or approached with caution at all--especially when we're talking about a school setting. I think books with difficult subjects should be encouraged that much more in places of learning where discussions can be had between the teacher and their student(s).
ReplyDeleteHaving said all that, I think every student should read Animal Farm by George Orwell. It's such an accessible read for people of all ages to start a discussion and spark an interest in politics. When it comes to all that, young people usually just aren't all that interested because they think it's boring or tedious. And I think this book proves just how wrong that mindset is.
I think everyone should read How To Kill A Mockingbird
ReplyDeleteI think books should not be banned. If readers get freedom of choice, they will grow up reading watever they feel like and will adapt their reads to their current age. Also, parents should know what books their child is reading so they can explain their questions.
I think most books that have been banned should actually be read. Lord of the Flies, Harry Potter Series, Fahrenheit 451, etc are all great reads. As for book banning, I don't believe any book should be banned. We were always allowed to read any book we wanted as children and our parents had to write permission slips for the local library so we could check them out (sometimes we would still have to go back with a parent, depending on the librarian). As a result, by the time I was 9 I had read everything from Stephen King, Hitchcock, and Poe to Histories of Ireland, books about The Plague, and homemade craft ideas. If we had questions we were told to ask, or look up the info on our own. Of course this was pre-internet, so we had to go back to the library for more info, but we still did it if we were interested enough to find out the answers. I think the most important thing with regards to children is communication. Talk about what your kids are reading, watching, doing, etc. It can open the door to all sorts of talks and can make a huge difference with how they relate to you.
ReplyDeleteI would say everyone should read To Kill A Mockingbird. Like everything else you should monitor what your child is reading. They should not read anything that has sexual content in it when they are too young to understand it.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read To Kill a mocking bird.
ReplyDeleteMegan @ http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.co.uk
I think TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is an important book for people to read. (I was extremely disappointed by GO SET A WATCHMAN, but that's another story altogether.) I wouldn't say that anything should be banned outright, since everyone has different standards, though there are a lot of books that I think are inappropriate for most children and teens (mostly because they seem upsetting just for the sake of being upsetting). I do think that parents should spend more time reading books and discussing them with their kids, rather than forcing schools and libraries to do their jobs for them by depriving other children of a book just because they find it offensive.
ReplyDelete--Trix
I think everyone should read Orwell's books. His work was very important. And I have yet to find a book that should be banned. I think some books might be fully appreciated at certain age, but if someone younger wants to read it, why not let him/her?
ReplyDeleteOh, my name on the raffle is Daniela T :P
DeleteI've read tons of challenged books and recommend them, such as the Harry Potter series regularly. As a librarian, I don't think any book should be banned (as far as society goes), but definitely care should be taken when putting books on required reading lists. Are your students mature enough to handle the content. And it should be up to the parent, not government, etc. to determine what their child should or should not read. Personally, I feel that as long as my children are reading I don't care what it is - I have a reluctant reader.
ReplyDeleteI think one of your choices, the Perks of Being A Wallflower, though difficult subject matter, is certainly a book that can be helpful to so many kids who might otherwise feel alone in what they're going through. As for a book that I think should be banned, I don't believe in that, I do think that parents should take an active interest in what their child is reading, so that if the child does end up with a book that is perhaps too mature for them, a discussion can happen.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. I don't think any books should be banned or read with caution.
ReplyDeleteI think the Dr. Suess books should not be banned and should be read. I don't have the right to judge which books should be banned or read with caution.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any books should be banned. I guess some banned books everyone should read are the Harry Potter ones.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read the Harry Potter series. I don't think any book should be banned! I think everyone should have a choice on what they want to read and there shouldn't be restrictions on it.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read Lord of the Flies. As for the second part of the question, there are some books that may be inappropriate for children of certain maturity levels (notice I didn't say ages). I do not think any book should be banned. Ever. Reasonable parents know when their children are mature enough to read books containing sexual material and the like. Parents who aren't reasonable will generally find their children losing respect for them and finding ways without them.
ReplyDeleteEveryone should read Animal Farm. I do not think it is our job to censor bookstand I do not feel that books should ever be banned.
ReplyDeleteFor the two questions, my answer would be: Flowers in the Attic, #1: everyone should read it, EVERYONE, but for the young ones it needs to be read with the right caution and a free mind.
ReplyDeleteTo Kill a Mockingbird is such a classic, a definite read. I have a tough time banning books. Look at all the horribly violent video games and garbage on YouTube. It's does nothing to help a child's mind grow. Certain subjects in books should be taken into consideration as far as age goes but there are so many bad things in this world. Let's not make reading one of them.
ReplyDeleteI believe that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , To Kill a Mockingbird, and Fahrenheit 451 should be read by everyone. I don't think books should be banned but could have descriptions/warnings on the covers like TV shows and movies. That way, parents and teachers could base their decision on the maturity level of their individual child/student.
ReplyDeleteLOTR and the Harry Potter series are must reads. I think banned books should not be banned but read with caution. Parents and educators should be aware of what their kids are reading and be open to discussing those books with them.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read 1984, Brave New World and The Giver. I think they are amazing books that really everyone should consume once.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in banning any sorts of books. I had great parents who never banned books but did lead me to age-appropriate literature, but they were very big on me reading anything I wanted. I just think they didn't let me know about some more adult stuff until I was older. For example, my mom gave me the giver as a younger child which I loved and I asked her for more like it. She led me to other ya-type books but waited until I was in high school to introduce 1984.
People should read To Kill a Mockingbird or any classic. I don't thank any book such be banned. I feel that it is up to an individual to choose what they read. Parents should have the right to decided what their kids read or listen to when they are younger.
ReplyDeleteI think every reader should read How to Kill a Mockingbird, 1984, Fight Club, Gone With the Wind, Fahrenheit 451.. Although I'm against banning books, ones like Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler and For Such a Time by Kate Breslin should be banned in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I will never understand why they ban books. To answer your question, for me, The Giver and the Harry Potter Series are what I think every reader should read but then again especially at a young age, they should be assisted or read to by adults because of the context.
ReplyDeleteI think Of Mice and Men is a book everyone should read. I know it has always been one of my favorites. And pretty much any of the banned and challenged classics should be read. Also, I think The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an important and powerful book that many kids can relate to. Obviously books with controversial subject matter should be read with caution based on each individual youth's maturity (and I don't mean ridiculous controversial claims like Harry Potter, Twilight, Of Mice and Men, etc) Not every child is the same. But I don't agree with the banning of books though, regardless of the subject matter. I think it's up to parents to be aware of, discuss, and help their child make informed decisions on their reading material based on their maturity level. But no one has the right to decide for someone else or someone else's child what they can't read.
ReplyDelete(Nikki Marie on rafflecopter)
Thirteen Reasons Why
ReplyDeleteI read The Giver and I thnk it is a very good book
ReplyDeleteForgot the second part of the question. I sometimes think parents should also read the books kids are reading. I read Tangerine (required reading) with my daughter. I'm glad I read it, a lot of upsetting subjects in the book
ReplyDeleteA banned/challenge book I think every reader should read is The Giving Tree. I have no idea why that is on a banned book list, but sure enough, I saw it there.
ReplyDeleteA book I feel should be read with caution for youth is The Catcher in the Rye. I do not believe in banning ANY books. However, I do think that the language should have a "T for Teen" rating or something along those lines.
Harry potter is one everyone should read. as for what book should be banned or read with caution i say NONE. you should have the liberty to read whatever you want. If parents dont want their kid reading something that is on them to make sure it doesnt happen just like with tv shows and video games.
ReplyDeleteI don't get american banned lists - in my country we do have a list of books do be read by students, divided by complexity. But we have no banned books - i was able to read whatever i wanted.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of recently challenged books, I think high schoolers should read Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers. It is a powerful and brutal book about bullying. It isn't a light, pretty read, but I think it is really important.
ReplyDeletei dont think gone with the wind should be banned and as for youth books i thinks its up to parents and families to decide if a youth should be able to read a book or not
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I don't believe in banning books and I can't think of any I would like to be banned but I don't like books that advocate violence or sexual assault against people especially children. There's is very dark and twisted fiction out there that probably should stay hidden in the weirdest part of the internet.
ReplyDeleteI think every reader should give Harry Potter a try. And I don't think ANY book should be banned. But I do believe in children reading their appropriate age level. I believe that it's up to the parent to decide. If they don't feel their child is ready to read about a particular subject or lacks the maturity to deal with unsuitable language or situation, then they need to keep their child from reading it to the best of their abilities.
ReplyDeleteI don't think books should be banned. I think that there may be books that children shouldn't read until a specific age, but I would never suggest banning a book. My favorite is To Kill a Mockingbird. I read it in 8th grade and it has stuck with me ever since. I feel it is a book everyone should read.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read the the Harry Potter series. And I agree that some books are be inappropriate for kids, but its their parents' responsibility to make sure their kids don't read them.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read the Harry Potter series because it is just magical and so well written. You can visualize the whole series and become so connected with the characters. I think it should be a parents choice only to ban the books from their house.
ReplyDeleteI rally don;t see what's wrong with books like Harry Potter, Hunger Games and Elanor and Park. Harry Potter, for example, is one series that got everyone started on reading and that can't be bad, right? But I think books like Lolita and Fifty Shades of Grey should be approached carefully, especially for younger teens.
ReplyDeleteI think To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee should be read. I remember reading it for english class in high school. I wasn't much of a reader then but I could not put it down, I even looked ahead to the end because I couldn't wait. I think the Kite Runner should be read with caution.
ReplyDelete1984, Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird amongst others.
ReplyDeleteI think no books should ever be banned, but there should be some age restrictions to certain content, as there are in cinematography.
I don't think any book should be banned and I think everyone should read To Kill a Mockingbird!
ReplyDeleteharry potters and don't think anything should be banned ever - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteThe Harry Potter series, Gone With the Wind, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be read by all. Even though I don't believe in banning books, adult books such as Lolita should be read with caution by youth.
ReplyDeleteI think people should read The Giver, To Kill A mockingbird, and any Judy Blume book. I don't think books should EVER be banned. Readers should make choices for themselves on whether they want to read a book or not.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Glass Castle when I read it, it was the first memoir I ever read and was a meaningful one. I'm not big on stopping younger people from reading anything. You risk stifling their desire to learn. But I guess up until about 13 you might keep kids away from overly sexual and such books. But I've always believed everyone has a right to read what interests them. Hope that answer doesn't make me sound ridiculous though I'm sure a few people agree with me! :P
ReplyDeleteWhat is a banned/challenge book you think every reader should read?
ReplyDeleteI read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and To Kill A Mockingbird in high school and I think I was mature enough to deal with the topics involved. These are classics and I'd argue they should be read.
What books do you feel should banned or at least read with caution for youth?
I think parents need to gauge their child's reading level and maturity and help guide them to books that will expand their thinking at the right time.
What is a banned/challenge book you think every reader should read?
ReplyDeleteA banned book I think every reader should read is Black and White by Paul Volponi. I read it in High School, and I think the book deal with a lot of dark topics in a professional way. I found it very mature, and I really enjoyes reading it.
What books do you feel should banned or at least read with caution for youth?
I do not think any books should be banned at all, because I think that every book has an important message. Despite this, I believe that some books should still be read with caution . The Hunger Games series is one of these series I think should be read with caution for youth, but it should still be read.
I think everyone should read The Giver and Harry Potter. I do not think any books should be banned especially here in the "land of the free". I think it's up to parents to decide if their children are mature enough for some books, but really, most of these "banned books" don't deserve to be banned. There are movies, tv shows, video games, and tons of other media that are way worse (not that they should be banned either).
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read To Kill a Mockingbird. It is a great book and was required reading in HS. Most students enjoyed reading it. In an ideal world, no books should be banned and parents should be involved in what their children are reading to discuss tough themes or to decide a child isn't mature enough yet for a certain book.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a banned/challenge book you think every reader should read? What books do you feel should banned or at least read with caution for youth?
ReplyDeleteFirst, I think that banned books ii unbealiveable!! You should read whatever you want, and monitor what your kids read. I recommend As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner.
Even thought I didn't love this book, I think the The Giver is a book that should be read because of the message it stands for. Great giveaway! Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should read The Giver. Every time I have read this book since I was a teenager I got a little more from it. There is a lot to think about in that one book. I honestly do not think any book should ever be banned. If a parent chooses to not let their child read a book then that is one thing, but I do not believe any school, agency, government, etc. should ban a book. Having the ability to read gives us knowledge. Some books (like Bless Me Ultima) might make us a little uncomfortable but I think those are the ones we have the most to gain from. We are uncomfortable because we are being exposed to new ideas. new ideas mean personal growth.
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter or The Giver. I loved Harry Potter so much, and it is such a good series. I also loved The Giver. Highly recommended to everyone!
ReplyDeleteProbably most of the books on the list should be read at some point.
ReplyDeleteThe Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger -- there are so many others. I don't believe any books should be banned, and kids should be allowed to (more or less) read what they want.
ReplyDeleteI think ever reader should at some point read To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. I don't feel any book should be banned, parents can gauge what their children are mature enough to read.
ReplyDelete