By Lily Swederskas, Staff Writer

May 11, 2022

Books. The topic of many breaking news stories this year. Not the actually inanimate objects but rather the events surrounding them. Books for as long as they have existed have been a way to spread knowledge, entertain, and connect. As the times have changed so have the ways we perceive literature and how we write them. I have taken upon myself to be tasked with reflecting on the many books that I have read that have been banned throughout the years to deem whether they were truly worth banning. 

"To Kill a Mockingbird"

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. This has been one of the most actively banned books in history. With its connection to racism, mature language, and real word events it has been banned from multiple libraries and schools across the nation. 

Ironic as it is, I am currently reading this book in school with my class. Reading and analyzing it I do see where some concern may come from as in how it will impact students but that just makes it all the more valuable. 

If the place we go to, to learn and have these difficult conversations about race, prejudice and other mature topics aren’t willing to have them students will never be able to have the opportunity to learn about these topics, stripping them of the ability to ask questions and learn.

The book, though dated and written by a white woman who has never experienced racism, is a gateway to learn what racism looked like in the past and how prejudices can be the most vile thing in the world. In my opinion “To Kill a Mockingbird” should be taught and encouraged to be read in high schools promoting those conversations. 

"1984" 

“1984” by George Orwell is the next book to be reflected upon. The book is set in a dystopian society and was what Orwell thought the human race would evolve to in the next 40 or so years. Being published in 1949 the book was meant to be a warning against dicacting governments. 

I personally loved this book. There were so many parallels between the world we live in today and what was happening in the book that the only thought I had when I finished it was that Orwell was only 38 years off. 

By comparing the novel to the real world we can see the dangers of control and the need for independence. I believe that “1984” shouldn’t be banned but perhaps put a warning on it. I wouldn’t recommend this for middle schoolers but definitely for highschool. 

I can definitely see why a school district would want to ban it as it does have some sexual content in it as well as it highlights pain and a disturbing life style that could be very upsetting for some. 

As stated before, not for elementary and middle school students but for high schools, “1984” could be a great source of education. 

"Of Mice and Men"  

“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck is a fictional social realism novel that centers around two migrant workers trying to find jobs in California during the Great Depression. Now as for why it is banned I do understand why caution would be needed to see who reads it. 

There is mature language, violence, and themes that could trouble younger readers. Even so, we need to be aware of a dark time that needs to be taught about and what people living in this time did to survive. 

Even though I have already read “Of Mice and Men” a part of the 10th grade curriculum in NHS is to read the book in class because of the merit it holds within the pages. 

Seeing the lessons and that my own place of education teaches it I disagree with that it should be banned and deemed unnecessarily banned. 

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower"  

The second to last book to be graced upon is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky, entails the life of a teenager named Charlie in the late 1990’s and follows him through his freshman year and all of the chaos that ensues. 

Like many of the books in this article it has sexual themes, mature language, and mentions the use of drugs and alcohol. 

However if you look past these unfavorable aspects you can read something that is somehow related to almost every teenager growing up. 

Opposed to other books I don’t think it should be read in class but it should be allowed in schools and libraries as it does have an impact on the reader. The writing makes them feel the millions of thoughts Charlie experiences through the book that every other teenager feels, and as an introverted reader who is also a freshman I do feel the doubt that hangs onto him, and I’m willing to bet I’m not alone. 

"Harry Potter"  

The final book or series I should say being reviewed is the “Harry Potter” books, by J.K. Rowling. Fun fact: these were banned because they were thought to encourage witchcraft in children. A series about friendship, loyalty, and good overpowering evil demeaned to a threat of making children (of all ages) believe in magic. 

For myself Harry Potter was the segue for me to read. Reading is a commendable skill with so many benefits but can also just be an escape for people taking away a book series that has given so much to people.  By encouraging this book series could open new pathways for children to be the new readers of the generation. 

Even though the author is problematic I see no reason why the series should be banned. 

All of these books have had a significant impact on our lives one way or another and have broken the regime of what books can supposedly do, which is in part why they are banned. The banning of books shouldn’t be putting one book over another, as every book holds worth. Banning books is taking away a chance for people to bond, and explore new avenues. Everyone should have that chance.