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https://www.npr.org/2023/05/13/ [login to see] /opinion-books-are-not-landmines
The American Library Association and PEN America say there's been a sharp increase in the number of books pulled from school libraries over the past two years. One complaint that a book is obscene or offensive — from a parent, or, increasingly, a group — can be enough to have it removed from the shelves.
The books that get singled out often feature main characters who are LGBTQIA, or people of color. Many address racism, child abuse, sex, suicide, and other topics that young people may want help understanding.
Some of the most-pulled titles include Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe; The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas; Looking For Alaska by John Green; and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
I wonder if those who want to keep certain books out of school libraries have thought through how many teens and adolescents react when they're told not to read something: they do it anyway. And avidly. They wonder — I certainly did — what are adults trying to keep from me?
The American Library Association and PEN America say there's been a sharp increase in the number of books pulled from school libraries over the past two years. One complaint that a book is obscene or offensive — from a parent, or, increasingly, a group — can be enough to have it removed from the shelves.
The books that get singled out often feature main characters who are LGBTQIA, or people of color. Many address racism, child abuse, sex, suicide, and other topics that young people may want help understanding.
Some of the most-pulled titles include Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe; The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas; Looking For Alaska by John Green; and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
I wonder if those who want to keep certain books out of school libraries have thought through how many teens and adolescents react when they're told not to read something: they do it anyway. And avidly. They wonder — I certainly did — what are adults trying to keep from me?
Opinion: Books are not landmines
Posted from npr.org
Reading
Racism
LGBTQ+
1st Amendment
Freedom of Speech
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 1
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."But Laurie Halse Anderson, the acclaimed writer of young adult novels, cautions me. Her much-honored novel, Speak, narrated by a teenage rape survivor, has been pulled from quite a few library shelves, too.
"Even if bans or challenges make a book more intriguing," Laurie reminded us, "many of our nation's children will not be able to access books that are removed. Millions of our families can't afford to buy books. Countless families live in library deserts — areas without a reachable public library. And libraries across the country are struggling with horrifying budget cuts."
Libraries are meant to be places where you can wander, browse, try on thoughts, read, reject, rejoice, or simply brood about the world. Books shouldn't be treated like landmines that have to be removed before they can light up our minds."
..."But Laurie Halse Anderson, the acclaimed writer of young adult novels, cautions me. Her much-honored novel, Speak, narrated by a teenage rape survivor, has been pulled from quite a few library shelves, too.
"Even if bans or challenges make a book more intriguing," Laurie reminded us, "many of our nation's children will not be able to access books that are removed. Millions of our families can't afford to buy books. Countless families live in library deserts — areas without a reachable public library. And libraries across the country are struggling with horrifying budget cuts."
Libraries are meant to be places where you can wander, browse, try on thoughts, read, reject, rejoice, or simply brood about the world. Books shouldn't be treated like landmines that have to be removed before they can light up our minds."
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SGT (Join to see) If the Younsters are anything like Me when I was their age. Telling Me No? Yeah I'm Going to Read That!
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