Where do you stand on banned books? It amazes me that some people think they have the right to tell families what books their kids should not be exposed to. As a parent I feel I have the right to control what my daughter reads, what television or movies she sees, etc., however I do not think a stranger has that right. It is shocking to see some of the books that are banned. I looked up what some the most banned books currently are and found Reader's Digest has a list of mostly young adult books. We Are Teachers share a list of 30 books that include books for younger children. You may be surprised by some of the books on these lists. They include the Harry Potter series, New Kid by Jerry Craft, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaolo, Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Hazel was just in a school
performance of the musical last year), Front Desk by Kelly Yang, and Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Do any of these surprise you? I know I was surprised especially by some that I have featured here or by authors I have featured here. Today I get to share with you a picture book about censorship and banning books. It is called Banned Book by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Gary Kelley. It is recommended on Amazon for ages 6 to 8, but I would personally say it would work great for an older class to have a discussion about the banning of books and censorship. The publisher's website recommends it for ages 8 to 12, which I think is more fitting.
From the Publisher:
“The words were dangerous.” For as long as people have been expressing their opinions in writing, there have been those in positions of power who have succeeded in censoring those thoughts—or making sure they were never printed in the first place. In this timely and provocative parable, a book is first subjected to redaction, then removal from a library. From award-winning author Jonah Winter, this provocative tale is subject to increasing amounts of blacked out text from censors, leaving behind a powerful message of the effects of censorship. Award-winning artist Gary Kelley’s moody and powerful art sets a weighty tone, portraying the emotions of the readers, the censors, the indignant librarian, and the questioning students. What becomes of a banned book? Is it good for only landfill fodder in the end? Banned Book will spark discussions with students in middle school and above as they confront a situation that is altogether too common in our own time.
From Me:
I imagine this book being confusing for a young child. The blacked out words and the italicized explanations below may confuse them and will need an adult or older child to explain about censorship and book banning. However, the message is powerful. At first the sentences don't make sense with the black outs. The reasons however are a bit humorous and may get kids laughing if it is read aloud. By the end it is truly explaining about banned books and censorship and has the message how this is wrong.
It shares how the people who want to ban these books threaten and are loud at meetings. It shares how the librarian often tries to stand up for the book but can be silenced. The people in control are often afraid of the people pushing for the bans and that is why they end up banned.
If you read the lists and why these books are banned, you will see that the reasons are usually the fear of the banners of differences. It is often prejudices. They are afraid to let children learn about other cultures, other religions and other ways of life because they are afraid their children may not choose the life they demand their kids to have. I truly think this book is a wonderful book to share in a classroom to discuss the banning of books.
