Dear Ms Burner,
I have
heard that you are thinking of banning books certain in the 6th
grade library. I believe that banning books is a bad idea because
some of the students might be going through the issues in these YA
books, it could give 6th grade students a place to escape,
also if YA readers knew their own limits than this wouldn’t be a
problem since we see the issues in YA novels in places besides books.
In
the article “Stick-lit? Evidently Young Adult is too Complex for
the Daily Mail.” says “Illness, depression, sexuality these are
all issues that teens are going to bump against in their lives,
whether directly or at one remove, through family members, friends or
through other representation in other media such as TV, films and the
internet.” This supports the idea that some children are going
through the types of issues addressed in YA books. It also brings up
the point that, if your argument for saying banning books is a good
idea and that certain books are too dark to read, well so are a lot
of other issues in this world. You would have to ban every dark or
creepy issue in this world if that was your point.
In the article by Sherman Alexie “Why are the
best books written in blood?” responding to Megan Cox Gurdons
article which supports banning books states “Does Ms. Gurdon
honestly believe that a sexually explicit YA novel might traumatize a
teen mother? Does she believe that a YA novel about murder and rape
will shock a teenager whose life has been damaged by murder and rape?
Does she believe a dystopian novel will frighten a kid who already
lives in hell?” This supports my claim because it shows that the
issues mentioned in YA books aren't too dark. In fact it can help
readers through hard times.The powerful message the Sherman Alexie is
trying to portray with this message showing how some teenagers
might be going through these issues. So it can not be too dark if the
readers are already living it.
In
the article “Banned Book week: 2010 an anti censorship manifesto”
by Ellen Hopkins who is also author of the YA novel Crank In
the article she states “If you don’t like the content in the book
don’t read it. If you don't want your child to read a book take it
away. But you do not have the right to decide 'appropriateness' for
everyone.” In this quote Ellen Hopkins got straight to the point –
every reader should know their personal limits. If you are a parent
you should also know your child’s' limits. The more you are aware
of your own limits the more likely you are to not pick a book that is
“too much” for you.
In
the article “Reading fiction 'improve empathy' study finds” By
Alison Flood it says “Its a result that shows that reading fiction
improves understanding of others, and this is a very basic importance
in society.” If your argument is that these books are teaching kids
wrong things then this article proves you wrong by stating that
reading any kind of fiction including YA novels can improve the
understanding/empathy of others.
In
BBC news “Age rated books:Right or wrong” by Anne Fine. It says
that “Children differ some race ahead with interests and reading
skills. Why should they be held back because at 8 they want to read
something that might be marked 11+” If you believe books should be
age rated, think again. Imagine what you would feel like if you were
9 or 10 and you find a book you really want to read but, its marked
11+ so you can't buy or read the book. That would be terrible
wouldn't it? Knowing that one little mark on the book stops you from
doing what you want to do.
In
conclusion, I hope you take all the points I made into
consideration,as I strongly believe that taking books off he shelves
of the 6h grade library is restraining 6th grade students
from reading YA novels that can help them through rough times, and
that they can relate to.
Sincerely,
Angela Jehamy 813
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