T5W | Banned Books You've Read

 It is another T5W and this week is banned books, which proved a lot harder than most.

So I live in the UK and we don't really ban books. In fact a lot of the books on these complained about or banned books lists were the ones we were given as required texts in high school. Since we start high school at 11 that is pretty funny. They let British kids read these but not American teens. 

Anecdote time: Once my teacher came into a classroom angry because a parent had called up (without the child knowing) and complained about a play called Jerusalem they were studying at A-level (16-18 years old) and he got so angry that he went on a rant down the phone asking her if it was more important; that her child did not hear the word fuck in class or that he knew about the social problems portrayed in the play thus beginning cognitive thought and critical thinking at a crucial age. That tends to be what happens when a parent finds the content uncomfortable. Our teachers tell them to be sure not to read it themselves.  Oh, the difference in schooling. Great play by the way. Go read it.

1. Harry Potter by JK Rowling
Well, there is a lot of 'wand' action going on.

2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I am literally laughing right now. Physical, belly shaking laughter is happening behind the screen.

3. Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
This one I kinda get but if they actually read it then they would realise it is kind of a good message and representation of Afghani life in the era between Taliban take over in the 70s to just before 9/11. Punches racists who blame every Afghani or Muslim citizen for 9/11 right in the face. Idiots.

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
I imagine quite a few teenagers found this piece of literature to be comforting, eye opening, or even a holy grail of not feeling alone. How dare it.

5. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Curse that red dress and its negative impact on our youth.

The whole idea of people getting books banned because of their own sensitivity makes me angry. If you do not like it fine, but do not ruin it for other kids who could learn and grow from the analyses of it. They're not going to make 5 year olds read The Great Gatsby- these are young adults being shaped for the future. Insufferable people.


0 comments:

Post a Comment

 

Blogger news

Blogroll

About