Welcome to my stop on the Banned Books Giveaway Hop! This is hosted by I Read Banned Books & I am a Reader, not a Writer. You can see the entire list of participating blogs here.
I loved Banned Books Week because of the discussions it generates; is it okay to banned books? Should there be limitations on it? Should it be left up to the parents alone?
I have an interesting take on this based off my personal experience. I went to a private, Christian elementary school (and I loved every year of it- I wouldn't trade it for anything) HOWEVER one thing I disagreed with were how many things were banned at school. My family took a rather opposite approach and encouraged me to make decisions myself, and tried to guide me into making wise decisions. But they were ultimatley my decisions. I was permitted to pick out my own books, and while I know I read some things that would have been better if I had been a bit older, there are no regrets. I started reading Tamora Pierce when I was 11, but I'd grown up reading books about fairytales and mythology (and most of those stories include sex, but not in a graphic nature). I don't regret the decisions I made, but I did find many of the school's decisions on which things (such as books) to ban to be somewhat ignorant. I still do.
I'm not opposed to keeping some things out of reach for younger children and teens for a time, provided there are justifiable reasons and proper explanation of such reasons. And I know this is just my take, but I'm really curious to hear what your opinion is. So part of this giveaway will include you sharing that, whatever it may be!
I want to encourage open, friendly discussion. I don't want to see nasty comments, which will be deleted if posted along with your giveaway entry. That includes being rude to other people. You're more than welcome to agree or disagree with others, however.
Giveaway is international!
And the prizes are awesome :) they include both banned/challenged books.
One winner will get to choose one of the following from The Book Depository:
- Boxed set of The Worlds of Lois Lowry (The Giver, Messenger, Gathering Blue)
- The Hunger Games boxed set (a pre-order for the amazing Collector's Edition!!)
- 2/3 Harry Potter books of your choice - up to $20 CAD
151 comments:
I don't think they should ban books, I think it should be left up to readers/parents to make their own decisions on what is the right reading material for them and what isn't.
I don't believe in banning books. I think people should make their own decisions about books. (And half the time people who banned books haven't even read the book in question.) But I do think certain books shouldn't be "forced" (i.e. required by schools) to read. Not that they should be banned, but perhaps find a different alternative to teach.
Personal example: my freshman year of high school, most of the classes were requiring the students to read a book about a terrorist taking over a school bus of high school kids. I'm told the book went into graphic details and disturbed many of the students that read it. (I did not read it, but my fiancee did.) My teacher decided to give her class the option to read it or not, but you had to choose another book the same length and reading level. As a young teenager who was emotionally sensitive (more so than a usual teenage freshman girl), this was a blessing. The news was already full of school shootings and bombings and death, so I didn't really want to read about in a fictional book at school.
Long story short: books shouldn't be banned for content or language or for any reason really, but perhaps books should be looked at more closely to determine appropriateness for age levels if they are to be taught in schools. You could still offer them in the library or classroom, but not be a part of the required reading.
I hope I did sense in this comment. I could go on longer, but this comment is already so long that I should stop it here. =)
I'd love to win the Hunger Games box set. I haven't read those books yet despite many recommendations (including my young brother). I loved (and own) The Giver and all the Harry Potter books. Thanks for the giveaway and for opening up the conversation about a hot topic this week.
There are only 6 total entries allowed on this hop. Please lower your +points on Rafflecopter so that you only have 6 total entries so you can remain on the linky.
Thanks - Kathy
I don't really think that people should ban books. If parents have concerns about what their children are reading then it should be up to them to decide. Younger children tend to read books they are given rather than finding banned books themselves. When it comes to banning YA I also disagree with that because when I was a teenager it was me who sensored out my reading.
As an example, when I was 12 my mum and school teacher suggested I read Flowers in the Attic by Virgina Andrews, I found out what the book was about and decided that it wasn't the kind of subject material I wanted to read.
My point is, teenagers can make decisions on what they want to read themselves so I don't see the point in banning books.
I think, as far as kids reading banned or challenged books are concerned, it is often just a matter of age and not the question if the book as such should not be read at all. Generally though I think that kids can pretty much decide for themselves and if a 12year old wants to read a book that's for 16+ why not? I remember I read mostly books that were for older kids and it didn't harm me in any way.
I don't have a whole lot of thoughts on this. I just know that I think it's stupid to ban books. Everyone should get to read what they want to. If books are to be "banned" than the kids parents can just tell them no. Or let them choose for themselves.
Love, Carina
I've never officially banned a book, but there are some books and genres that I prefer not to read. Some books contain issues/topics that are simply not suitable for young children, which should be adhered to by parents/teachers/librarians. I've yet to read a book that I think should be officially banned for adults. :)
Personally, I'm all against banning books. I mean, we have brains, we can think for ourselves whether a book is good for us or not! As for kids, I think parents have the responsibility to make sure they're reading the right content-it's not the book's fault. Readers should have a choice and we need to think of the writers as well.
I don't think banning books is the way to "protect" kids. Kids will read it anyway, especially if they have been told not to. It's better to guide them as they read so that all their questions can be answered and they are given the chance to think for themselves.
Great giveaway! THanks for making it international!
I don't think we should ban books but perhaps we need to be more careful as where to put them...because yes it's good for the children to choose what they want to read but for the parents to be able to help them and guide them they should know what the book is about and sometimes the cover let think it's a gentle fairy tale and once open it's hard core sex: that's not normal.
thanks for making this giveaway international. i would like to discover the giver.
I agree about not banning books. I feel like parents should be involved in what their kids read. They should at least have an idea what the book is about and have discussions with them about the books. Thanks for the chance to win!
I've already spoken about this on another blog on this hop, so I'll repeat what I posted here.
Book banning is a topic I feel strongly about because I come from a country where the government has the power to ban books from being published or imported. I resent the fact that some higher ups feel that we readers cannot think for ourselves and must be told that these books are bad for us so we cannot read it. What is even worse is when the powers that be have not actually read the books and made their judgment based on the covers/synopses or people's complaints. Like you said, they are being ignorant.
I feel that books should be 'banned' by readers themselves or if they're children, by their parents (provided said parents read first the book they want to ban), and not by anyone else.
I agree with your parents' philosophy. It should be up to the reader to decide if they want or even approve tbe books they read. If they are given the responsibility to choose the books they want to read, they will be as responsible as they can, like you were. Besides, many will find a way around the banning.
I think you should be able to read what you want know matter what age you are. Books give you knowledge no matter what so it's good to read all the books you can so you can get all kinds of different Knowledge
The kind of controlling attitude behind banning books is appalling to me. I think the way individuals and society as a whole and the world flit that matter change for the better is through allowing contemplation and discussion of new and controversial ideas.
I think parents have the right to decide what their children can and cannot read. What I don't agree with is when a parent decides that a book isn't appropriate for his/her child and then has the book challenged/banned, therefore taking away the choice of reading from other children/parents.
I also went to Christian schools where people had some strict ideas of what was acceptable. However, my parents also never had any problems with us reading different books - as long as it wasn't inappropriate age wise. So sometimes I am surprised on what is on the banned books list b/c I have read so many - even when I was young!
I have difficulty with this topic. I'm against book banning because I think it starts a slippery slope. I don't want anyone telling me what books I can and can't read. However I also understand some books aren't age appropriate. I just think that by high school that doesn't really apply anymore. Ultimately parents should be involved in deciding what books are appropriate for their kids, but their decision shouldn't affect everyone else. For example, I had a friend who didn't want to read a certain book in our English class, so she talked to the teacher and got an alternate assignment. But it didn't mean the rest of the class couldn't read the book.
I think that bannig a book is a sure way to make it popular)))
I personally do not think books should be banned. I do agree with putting a warning label on books, such as they do on movies, to alert to things such as sex, violence, cursing, etc., so parents can keep an eye on what their kids are reading, but I don't think anyone has the right to completely ban a book. That is each person's right to decide if it is right for them or their child all by themselves.
jwitt33 at live dot com
I I think it is a bit ridiculous to ban book, after all they are books and in someway or the other, add to our own intellect. But come to think of it, if books weren't banned, who would host a giveaway for them?! ;)
I have never been told what i can or can't read. I think books are like people there are good and bad . but we have to see what is under the surface for ourselves.
I've read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Catcher in the Rye, To Kill A Mockingbird...I understand that books like Brave New World should have some warning (??) - I read that book when I was probably too young to get the idea of whole book and I didn't know what to think abou the book.
But Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, and I've also seen books like Twilight and Hunger Games on the banned-books list...well, it suprise me and sometimes I really don't get it :(
I think there's a big difference between saying you don't want a book in your home and saying it shouldn't be available for anyone. I've never been told I wasn't allowed to read something, though.
I'll love to win the hunger games. Thanks for the giveaway.
flaka.077 at gmail dot com
I don't agree with it at all. If you want to ban it from your home or the hands of your children, that's fine and totally within your right.
How can you justify banning OTHER KIDS from reading them though? It shouldn't be your decision.
I don't agree with banning books at all. Now if parents want to ban them from their homes and stuff that's fine but they shouldn't be banned from schools because they can teach kids. Books never should be banned period. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
temarasheppard@yahoo.com
I think that everyone should have the right to read whatever he wants... So, No, I don't agree with banning books at all.
it should be up to everyone themselves what they want to read. though parents should be able to direct their children until they are old enough to decide themselves. that's why there are pg, r etc. so you should use it.
i find it a no-no to ban books or other items. it superimposes beliefs of other people who mostly don't have the same opinions i have.
In an ideal world, parents would be playing a bigger part in helping their children make age-appropriate decisions, but since they're not, I understand the argument behind restricting books by age (I would love a rating system, like for movies, to aid my own reading choices). But it would be hard to create a criteria for restricting a book. So...I don't know. I know if I had kids, I'd be looking over what they read, but I'm glad I'm not in a position to be choosing books for other people's kids.
I really dislike the idea of book banning, and Idon't think it should be allowed. Parents can stop their own kids from reading things they aren't ready for...but that doesn't give anyone the right to dictact what is appropriate for other people. I grew up being allowed to pretty much read what I wanted, and I loved it. I learned a lot and I read a lot. Reading was fun for me...and I think banning certain books can make it less fun and eye-opening for people.
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
I don't think any books should be publicly banned. If a parent wants to ban a book in their house, that's their own personal business, but to ban them from everyone? I think that's just wrong.
kaylalovesandrew09@yahoo.com
I think that banning books from school or public libraries is insulting. It assumes that other parents don't know what's best for their children, that adults can't decide what to read for themselves, and that everyone has the same tastes. No-one knows what books are appropriate for any child better than that child and their parents, and that is who the decision should be left up to.
I think that a lot of books that get banned under the guise of "protecting the children" are actually a way for prejudiced adults to pretend that the people they hate don't exist. They don't want to admit that LGBTQ people exist, lead normal lives, and could include people they or their children know, so they ban books with LGBTQ themes. They are afraid to admit that some people can be perfectly happy in non-Christian religions, or even without any religion at all, so they ban books for pagan themes, atheism, or taking the lord's name in vain. They don't want to admit that racism exists or that they themselves haven't gotten over their racist tendencies, so they ban books that honestly depict racism. They don't want to think that their children could possibly know about or be having sex, so they ban books that have sexual content. While some book banning is just because something might not be age appropriate, it often has nothing to do with the kids, and instead is about protecting the prejudices of their parents.
eeoshiel(at)uncg(dot)edu
Obviously I get why books are banned, but sometimes the reasons are just downright ridiculous. And the books being banned? Harry Potter, seriously?!
wow when i went to school they were on the required list to read, thanks for having this tour.
Julie
jbarrett5 at cox.net
i also went to catholic school and nothing was banned hmmm
I believe kids should be able to choose for themselves after a certain age however parents should always be aware of what their children are reading. The school should be able to dictate within school but not beyond that. As a young teen I read Carrie by Stephen King before I was mature enough to handle it and wished for many years I had never touched that book as it haunted me. I am planning to be careful in what my daughter chooses to read to prevent this from happening to her.
I have a 9 years old daughter and I try to sensor the books and TV, not banned. I just think there are certain time for everything.
I grew up with a lot of taboos in my education and I intend to rise my daugther with an open mind, but always according to age.
Banning books is like taking away our choice of reading and freedom of expression...totally against it!
I don't think we should be telling people what not to read any more than we should be telling people what to read or think. I think if we give people information and arm them and trust them to make the decision for themselves that the world will be a better place because of it.
-Michelle A
I feel like books should never officially be banned; it should be up to the parent or individual to control what is read within their own home.
I just came across your blog via the hop and I love it! New follower!
I agree that parents shouldn't restrict their child's choice in what he or she wants to read. Books shouldn't be banned at all just because of "unappropriate" parts. We should have the freedom to read what we want to read. Thank you!
If books have to be banned, then at least give a more positive way toward it.
=)
I don't believe one should ban books but I do think that parents should know what their children are reading and try to persuade them not to read books that might upset them.
THanks for the giveaway.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
I love the idea of banned books week, it draws attention to the censorship that most of us aren't even aware of! I'm always surprised at the things that are found objectionable in books, it never really seems to me that I'm unusually open-minded until I see the reasons.
kate1485 at hotmail.com
I am not a fan of banning books. Just like yoou were able to decide what you wanted to read other teens should be given that same choice up til a point. I don't think children should read books that were meant for adults. But I don't believe banning books actually helps I think it just draws more attention to the book being banned. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the giveaway.
I personally thinks that banning books makes them even more wanted. I am against banning books. Everyone has the right to decide what they can and can't read. I think that parents are competent enough to not let their children read something that's going to give them nightmares.
Thank you for the giveaway and for the awesome prizes you're offering.
I can understand protecting young children from explicit sex or violence. A blanket ban on certain books is ludicrous. It should be up to the individual.
A very generous giveaway thank you.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
IJust because you don't want your child to read a book, it doesn't mean you should ban the book. I think we should be able to read what we want because a book can give you new
knowledge about life.
I don't agree with banning books because I think everyone should have the freedom to choose. I read alot of the books on the list when I was in middle school and high school. Sometimes the content was a bit shocking to me, but I still love those books to this day. My parents never censored anything, and I appreciate that. My parents did ask what I was reading though, and that way they were aware and able to discuss content with me. I think that was a great approach.
Thank you for the giveaway!
Christine
ceeenndee at gmail dot com
i think banning books is totally ridiculous!
americangirlie1991 at yahoo dot com
I don't think books should be banned. If a person wants to read something, let them read it. The decision should be left to that person only.
desize1996@abv.bg
I think book banning should not be done because we as readers should have the freedom to read what we want.I agree that some books are not suitable for children but I think teenagers can read any type of books.
Janhvi
there's certainly age appropriate books but I don't believe any book should be banned because some committee doesn't agree with it's POV
msboatgal at aol.com
I think we should be encouraging not discouraging reading.
Thanks for the giveaway! I think people should be able to read what they want (as long as it's not harmful to others/anything against the law)
k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
I agree with what you and many of those commenting have said. Most challenged and banned books stem from a parent's misguided attempt to protect their child. However, it makes me furious that someone would be so arrogant as to assume they have the moral right to make decisions that affect my child's choices simply because of their personal beliefs. My 10 year old son is currently reading his fourth banned book (Harry Potter) and quite proud of it! The one positive thing that has come of challenging/banning books is that it sparks interest in those books.
Donna @ The Happy Booker
ahappybooker at gmail dot com
I also don't believe that ban books are good for the teenagers! Today, we can find everything we want online!
I think that the best is the parents talk with their own chicldren and, together, decide what is proper for them.
I really disagree with banning books. In the case of young children, only their parents should decide what they want or don't want to let their kids read. But in the case of teenagers and adults, I believe they're pretty capable of deciding what they should read, without having someone else telling them so.
Banning Books?! That's like banning thinking! No one can do that!
I don't believe that books should be banned. Just because one or even a few parents (or whoever) don't like the content doesn't mean they should be able to decide for the rest of us whether we get to read it or not. If they don't like it then they should not read it or allow their children to read it if that is what they want. I do think that by banning books (many of them important works of literature) children are being deprived of learning and growing in their thinking.
I believe that, in the long run, banning books is useless. The more you forbid someone of doing something, the more he/she will do it, so it kind of backfires. I firmly believe in freedom of speech, but as long as banning, the only form of it that i support is by a parent who doesnt believe that a certain book is appropriate for his young child (and young as in very young). Even so, after a point, a child must be allowed to do her own choices (like, in their teens).
Banning books is NOT a good idea. Of course some books are for older readers only. Parents should be aware of that. They are responsible. Raise your kid the best you can and hope it has a good head on its shoulder. Limitations..hmmm, well aside from the reader's age I can't think of anything right now.
Other than that I'm team "It's my choice!!!!"
Thanks for the giveaway
I personally hate that there are banned books. I hate how everything is starting to get banned for one reason or another. This is America, the land of freedom of speech. Of the Westboro Baptist Church can be allowed to protest military funerals, we all should have the right to read all books.
I will agree that parents should have some say in what their child reads. Sadly, I don't think that most of these parents have read the books to form an honest opinion of the book. They just go off the ideas of someone else.
Thank you for the giveaway. I really hope events like this help to open the eyes of people. I'm sad to say that I didn't know that there was a banned book list and I was surprised that most the the great books I've read are on it.
jbronderblogs at aol dot com
I agree with your family's decision to allow you to choose your own books. My parents never tried to censor what I read in childhood and as a result, I read a lot of books that were probably not appropriate for my age group. However, it allowed me to explore ideas that I would not have otherwise and develop my understanding farther than what I would have if I was kept to age-appropriate books.
abbydillon16 AT yahoo DOT com
I think that it is the responsibility of parents to be aware of what their children are reading. I think that the books should be available and that parents should be discussing their concerns or otherwise monitoring their children's behavior. Blatantly banning books is unnecessary.
I think that books should not be read by children and that parents should know what their children are reading but I also think there should be a certain amount of freedom to what we area allowed to read after all reading in general is good for you :)
I definitely think it should be up to parents as to what books their children are allowed to read.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for an amazing giveaway.
I think banning books is wrong. There should be freedom of choice for adults and children should have their reading monitored by parents.
I don't think that it's appropriate for anyone other than a parent to make the choices of censoring what a child reads. But quite honestly that's pretty hard to do in school - the world just isn't a perfect place.
Pabkins @ Mission to Read
I don't think books should be banned. Perhaps cautioned or warned, but definitely not banned. Anyone should be able to read anything.
I think it is the parents decision not the governments about what a child should be allowed to read or not read.
jenhedger at hotmail dot com
I definitely see what you're saying about keeping things out of younger childrens' hands, but I don't believe banning is the way to do that. Elementary school library's simply shouldn't carry young adult novels, for example, but they shouldn't be banned altogether. Most people are quite capable of making good decisions for themselves.
I believe that certain books might not be appropriate for certain ages/types of children hence the need to provide guidance in the types of books being read. However a blanket ban of books seem to be a simplistic way of going about it as it does not take into account the child's individual/personal context as every child's circumstance(s) will be different and also prevents a healthy discussion as to why certain books might not be appropriate for the child at that age.
The book must be appropriate for the reader's age. But they should not banned the books. All books have different categories (YA, Adult, Fantasy, etc) so the person who read a particular book must know if it is suitable for him/her.
I personally don't think books should be banned. We should educate our children on issues and let them decide when they are ready to broach a topic
I think books shouldn't be banned unnecessarily. Like Harry Potter, Hunger Games? The BIBLE? Some countries ban certain books because they attack the country politically.
I think it should generally be decided by the parents and how mature they think their kids are.
That's all.
Thanks for supporting banned books!
I think books should be suitable for children, that is have no explicitly mature content, but other than that I don't think books should be censored. I mean, is there a child who has read Harry Potter and started practicing witchcraft? Children are not that stupid, or at least they should read as much as possible not to be stupid.
And what's banned is all the more desirable anyway.
spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
I notice that usually books are banned by Christian schools because of religious content... I find that these people don't understand that their view is not the only view. Also some of the books that are banned because of the language shows that people don't understand that it was used in the time that book was written. You can't change the language in a book to suit the changing of time.. books would continually need to be updated.
I am strongly against banning books. Even if there's content we may not agree with or find distasteful that doesn't mean we (I say we as the collective people of Earth) should hide from it. We need to read different viewpoints and different ideas. It's how we form our own opinions and it's how our idea of the world is developed. Banning books doesn't "protect" people, instead withholding those books could potentially give people a warped view of the world.
I don't believe in banning books. I believe that we must give children the benefit of the doubt and trust them to make the right decisions. Children have the right to read whatever they enjoy reading. If the only thing my child enjoys reading is Harry Potter or the Hunger Games so be it. (I have read and loved both series) Books are so important and I feel as if fewer kids are reading because they are not allowed to read what they are interested in. They are forced to read what others see fit and that's not right.
No, I don't think it's okay to ban books. Most books are banned because of ignorance and that's wrong. It should be left up to the parents to decide whether or not their children should be able to read certain books. I've always been able to read whatever books I wanted to read and that's always been a huge advantage for me. It's not that my parents didn't care, it's just that they believed that I should be able to think for myself. Some banned/ challenged books have such stupid reasons for being taken out of schools and libraries. Sure, it may be one person's beliefs, but that doesn't mean it'll be everyone's.
I read all books, the fact that a book is banned makes a reader wants to read it even more.
I think it should be left up to the parents.
jessicawedwards@gmail.com
I am totally against the PUBLIC banning of books. In elementary and secondary schools, not so much, there ARE things not suitable for the younger people. But once someone reaches high school age I believe it is up to the parent to censor what media their children are into. To ban it from everyone is just wrong. There are things I want to read I wouldn't let my 8 year old read. Just like TV, movies, and video games. It should be solely on the parent to know what their children are doing.
Don't punish everyone because you don't like something.
I've just found out the whole 'banned and challenged book' issue cause we don't have it in my country and I'm pretty shocked. How can books be banned? Readers should be free to choose. My parents let me choose whatever I wanted and if they though it was not appropiate they told me 'just wait a coulple of yrs and you can read it'
aliasgirl at libero dot it
I think it should be between the parents and the child- not anyone else. Many of these books have been banned by people that haven't even read them. A parent knows their child's maturity level. They can make the choice.
(I must say, I did tell my son to wait a bit to read some of stephen king's books. We just discussed it not too long ago, and he told me he was very glad I made him wait. He wouldn't have been able to handle them sooner.)
Twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Thanks for your giveaway!! I do not believe that books should be banned. If they want them rated: fine. You should make sure your children and teenagers stay away from some books, heck I don't think I should read some, but again that is my choice!!
Judy
magnolia_1[at]msn[dot]com
I think that instead of banning books they should just have ratings like movies do, that way readers know what they're in for.
I don't think books should be banned. People need to have the right to make their own decisions. When I was a kid I read some banned books just out of curiosity. And now that I'm older I prefer to read YA books :)
thanks for the chance.
As a parent, I reserve the right to restrict books my kids read until I, and only I, deem them mature enough to handle the subject matter.
It is never okay to ban books, and it is the parents' responsibility to monitor what their children read while they are still below a certain maturity. This does not mean trying to control what other children read, only their own children.
hopester777 at gmail dot com
MMost of the banned books on the ALA list were required reading when I was in school. They sparked discussion, heated debate, mind-expansion, new ideas, tolerance and education. Fear and ignorance breed prejudice and oppression. Protect our First Amendment Rights!
Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com
I think banning books will only make the public more interested in them. As long as parents read-along with their children when it comes to books containing violence, alcohol, drugs, I don't think there's a problem.
Instead of banning books maybe they should just have ratings saying what age they are appropriate for. I can also see them not letting young children read books that are not appropriate for them. But The hunger Games? Not for children. But a fantastic series for everyone else.
I think that books written so that they would be read. I understand if kids and teens are not allowed to read certain books with profanity and sex scenes, but banning books doesn't help anything. In fact, it will only make the kid and teen all the more want to read the book.
I firmly believe that books should never be publicly banned. Do what you want in your private life or home life, but don't force your choices on others. Books were written to be READ.
jennimerritt.writing (at) gmail (dot) com
i think anyone should have the freedom to read any book they are interested in. they can decide themselves if it is too mature for them, and not by anyone else forcing them.
Generally speaking I love banned books. My favorites are Of mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. To Kill a mockingbird is one of my fave banned/challenged books. I really think it should be up to parents waht their children reads however an age guide limit may help parents and children decide what to read.
I really don't belive in banning books. In fact the more the book is banned the more I'm curious and want to read it. Books should be open for everyone and let's leave the choice to the readers. They are smart enough to know if the book suits the or not. As for childrens, parents and guardian are there to supervised.
I don't think books should be banned. People should have a right to read whatever books they want provided that it's not about world destruction :)
I was always allowed to choose whatever I wanted to read on any subject I chose to read. I chose that approach with my son as well. I think kids should be allowed to make their own choices. Parents are the only ones who should be able to guide their children in their reading choices until they are old enough to make their own decisions.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I personally read books that were well above my age level growing up. The books that were for my particular age group weren't substantial enough, and I was breezing right through them. And I was always craving more reading material; something that made my parents more than happy. I didn't always understand fully what was going on. And my opinions have definitely changed now as an adult in reading certain books over again. But I have no regrets. And I've not been ruined or tainted by anything I'd read.
On the topic of banning books, I feel nobody has the right to tell anyone what they can and cannot read, regardless of the content in a book. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and should be able to make up their own mind on what is appropriate for them. You don't have to like it, but you will respect my right to choose what I want to read for myself.
As for those parenting what their children read...deciding what is age appropriate for your child is one thing. A parent should be involved in what their children are reading (and you should not make any judgements about a book without having read it for yourself and forming your own opinions about it). And I understand what may be acceptable for some families may not be for others. But you do NOT have the right to take away that privilege from EVERYONE. If you don't like certain reading material, then stay away from it. And keep it away from YOUR children, until they are old enough to decide for themselves. Those books should still be available to read for those with an open mind. Reading one book is not going to solely shape the type of person your child will become for the rest of their lives. Your teaching, love, nurturing, and how involved you are with them will. Use the books to open up and have discussions with them.
Banning books is not the answer. And only makes people want to seek out and read those books all the more; myself included :D . That's just my two cents.
couponcookie at gmail dot com
For me, I feel that it depends on the level of maturity of the child. Everyone should be given the right to choose what to read, however, I do agree that maybe certain books that contain extreme violence or content unsuitable for children who are still growing should not be exposed to them until they reach a certain age, to make sure that they do not learn the wrong things. To Kill A Mockingbird is a book that I really liked and it was even included in our syllabus for English! I think that books should not be banned as they all contain some good learning points for all of us.
In my opinion, books should not be banned as everyone can learn different things from different types of books. I think that they just need to specify the genre and any contents that may not be suitable and leave it up to the reader to decide if he/she wants to read it :)
astrophonics(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)sg
Banning of books is unacceptable to me because everyone should have a right to choice! Also, the writers would be at a disadvantage because their books may contain content that is unsuitable yet the story may be very interesting! The reason why the story can capture attention may just be the very reason why it is banned in the first place! Everyone should be able to make their own choice in the books they choose to read and books should never be banned to me!
takan.angel(at)gmail(dot)com
Books are written to be read, there's no point in a book no matter how well-written it is if the book is banned! I strongly disagree with banning books because I strongly believe that everyone can make their own choice what to read and what not to read :)
I know everyone has been saying how books shouldn't be banned because every reader should have the opportunity to read what they want. While I do agree with this, I think we should also try to look at book-banning from the perspective of those who ban books! They are certified organizations who are trained in their field of work, and if they ban a book there must be a reason why. It may not be a valid reason for many of us, but maybe it's because we lack the professional expertise to determine if certain books are appropriate for everyone to enjoy.
That being said, I would like to add that although books like Harry Potter are considered banned or challenged, that hasn't stopped millions of people from reading the entire series. I'm sure many of us have found ways to get our hands on restricted reading materials, and what is banned in one place may even have been heavily promoted in other countries;)
Banning books is never okay. While there are some books that aren't my cup of tea, I know there are other people out there who would love to read it. Likewise, books like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Great Gatsby, and anything by Ellen Hopkins are some of my favorites and I would be devastated if they were banned for future generations.
Banning books is never never okay. I understand parents want to protect heir children, and that's their right. However, I draw the line at parents trying to censor the entire school. If they have a problem with the assignment, alternate arrangements can be made ( I should know, I teach).
Leave the parenting up to the individual parents and leave your agenda within your home.
I think that with the exception of parents not allowing THEIR child to read certain books, NO ONE should be allowed to tell other people what they can or can not read. And no book should ever be banned.
I was lucky too that my parents let me choose what books I wanted to read. I think this was one of the things that helped me enjoy reading, my favorite hobby still to day.
I live in Sri Lanka, we have had various issues with book and film banning. The Da Vinci Code (film) was banned here. And you know what happened? Everyone I know has watched it. SO, Banning books is a really dumb way to try to prevent people from reading them. Humans are naturally curious, they will want to find out why the book was banned and decide for themselves. As for parents, they can regulate the books their child reads. But the decision of banning books should be left for the readers. And a note to the Book Banners, please do publicize more banned books, I would love to read them. ;)
Personally, I find that banning books should not be allowed as everyone has the right to choose what book to read. Although some books do not appeal to some people, there are other people out there who would appreciate them, and they should be given a chance to read them :)
I feel that books should not be banned but to protect the interests of young children, their parents should be responsible for what they read to ensure that they are not exposed to certain contents insuitable for their age.
theshaz4eva@gmail.com
I think that books can only be banned with the agreement of the writer because it is not fair to them!
I'm just really thankful that books like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and To Kill A Mockingbird are not banned in my country. You can find them anywhere in local libraries! We should all have the freedom of choice in my opinion.
zestmiller[AT]gmail[DOT]com
I don’t agree with banning books. Like you, I was free to read any book and sometimes I did read things that may have been too “adult” for my age. I still think that this is the best approach though, because banning sends a message of censorship and that certain topics are “wrong” which is not good either.
susanw28 (at) mindspring (dot) com
I do not agree with banning books... Just because you do not want your child to read something or feel your child is old enough to read something does not mean another parent feels the same about their children. I do agree there is somethings younger children do not need to reed but it is not my place to step in and say ALL children can not read it...
Thanks for the great giveaway.
april@pinebelt.net
http://ramblingandadventure.blogspot.com/
I don't think anyone has the right to ban books. The only acceptable form of this is parenting, deciding what books are age appropriate for your children and which ones aren't. No one has the right to tell me what I can and cannot read!
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
I agree that the power to restrict reading should lie in the readers themselves and their parents/guardians. I love the example given in one of the above comments about how someone talked to her teacher and got a different book assignment. THAT is how it should work, not "OMG this person feels uncomfortable, now none of you can read it!" because that's just ridiculous. And unfortunately real. Stop banning books! *shakes fist*
Thank you for the giveaway! *hug*
Karaliene24[@]gmail[.]com
i agree that some books shouldnt be read by little kids or young teens until they get a bit older, but those books shouldnt be banned.
~Alisia
I think each individual should choose what they would like to read. I don't think any books should be banned. When I was growing up, my mom said she would not censor books, but she did censor movies and other things for my sister and I. I don't remember this every making me choose a book that was ridiculously inappropriate or anything.
As long as its not straight erotica with no point or reason I think its fine for a young adult to read whatever they choose!
I think that books should not be banned definitely! Books like To Kill A Mockingbird and Harry Potter are my favourite, and I do not see why people should be deprived of the chance to read them :)
pudgypies(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)sg
Personally, I think that books should never be banned because I strongly believe in the right of choice of everyone. Banning books, in my opinion, is removing the right of people to gain new knowledge or enjoyment.
I am strongly against banning books. It would be a big regret in my life if my parents do not allow me to make my own choices in the books that I read, and I hope that everyone else would not be stripped of this choice
I don't think books should be banned. I think it should be up to parents to decide what their children can and cannot read. Booksellers and librarians are very knowledgeable people who can help guide parents' choices. I've heard too many stories of people who were helped in some way by a banned or challenged book they read when they were young that made them feel they were not alone, etc. to believe there are certain books that are ok for everyone and others that are ok for no one!
It's not ok for someone else to tell me what I can and cannot read, or for a teacher to tell my kids what they are not allowed to read. That's my decision, and mine only. My family is "against" Harry Potter because they think he is satanic, yet they have never read the books! I find that most people that are against something really don't have a clue what they are taking about and are basing their decision on hearsay rather than having actually the book in question! Let's face it: If you tell a kid not to do something, they are going to do it anyway in rebellion! Better to allow them to read it and then have a meaningful discussion with them afterwards on how THEY felt about the book!!
Thanks for the giveaway!
darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com
Brenna,
I don't believe books should be banned. Each author brings a different perspective to whatever subject they're writing about. We as individuals should have the choice to read or not read any book or material printed. With television, a person can change the channel or turn the television off. With books, a person can close a book and stop reading or not read the book at all.
Personal choice is just that, personal choice. Having said that, as a parent I do believe books should be age appropriate. Some explicit material (sexual and exceedingly violent specifically) could be emotionally disturbing to younger teens and especially children. Movies have ratings for a reason. So do books. Problem solved!
And you're the first person I've come across with the same name and spelling as my youngest daughter Brenna...who is an avid reader by the way. I have trouble keeping up with her!
*blushing*
Forgot to thank you for the giveaway and leave my choice. I would LOVE to read the Hunger Games. AND...Thank you for the awesome giveaway!!!
I sooo don't think banning books is OK. Ever. I think it should be up to no one other than a child's parents to determine whether something is appropriate.
Much like you I grew up with my parent pretty much allowing me to read whatever I wanted. The always had faith that I was going to chose books that were appropriate for me.
I don't agree with banning books, for children, parents should decide what is appropriate or not.
bookloon at gmail dot com
I think banning books is just plain ridiculous!
I mean if you don't like the book then just don't read it.And people who think they might be bad for their children should just keep an eye on what they read.Plus some books get banned for the most unlogical reasons.So as you can see i don't agree with banning books at all.
kaylish13 at gmail dot com
I'm opposed to the banning of books simply because it gives the author and the book a bad image and prevents people from picking up the book, often without knowing what the book's about. That said, I think I understand where the people who challenge books get the idea from. Different children have different levels of maturity. Some can read about sensitive issues, explore their own thoughts on the topic, without feeling the need to go out and practice upon what they've read. Usually, open discussion about the subject matter with their parents or other responsible adults enables a mature handling of the issue. However, many teenagers can be easily influenced by what they read especially if what they read appears to be taboo and they are at that rebellious stage in their teenage years and don't discuss the issues with responsible adults. This can pose a great problem. I am fortunate to have a mother who is a complete bookworm and encouraged me to read all any type of book I wanted to when I was younger, as long as she was aware of what I was reading and as long as I came to her with any issues I found myself grappling with while reading the book. I remember that she was a little apprehensive about letting me read her romance novels during my teenage years, especially since we come from a conservative family, but she felt that I was mature enough to handle love scene without feeling the need to go out and act on what I'd read. I've only recently started reading YA and I can tell that most authors try, as far as possible, to include as little detail about the sexual nature of relationships as possible. I sometimes wonder if it's not a fear of censorship that prevents them from openly discussing such matters in their books. While I'm not a fan of sexually explicit content, I think it's ridiculous for people to want to pretend that the teenagers who read these books can be completely protected from such matters.
Thanks you for supporting BBW!:)
Sarah @ Random Thoughts
I really don't like the idea of banning books, because yeah, people should be able to judge for themselves and choose whether something is right or not for them and their families. And it's so ridiculous that pretty much everything seems to get challenged! The focus should be on enjoying a story, not all this.
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
I don't agree with banning books. I think it should be completely up to parents. Thanks! sbcashortie at hotmail dot com
I think banning books is horrible, if they are worried about an age group reading something with unsuitable content then the child's parents should be watching what their kid is reading. Also if a person doesn't like the issues in a book then just don't read the book.
I really dont think they should even ban books from the start. Its non of their business what we read, and we have our parents to do that.. we should have the fREADom to read :)
dont need the ministry or whatever telling me what to read or not. I can make that judgement by myself thank you very much =)
thanks for the giveaway!
The irony of banning books is that it actually gets more people reading them (especially teenagers!)
jenemard at yahoo dot ca
Thanks for the amazing giveaway! My fave banned book is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. As to answer your question, I think that books should definitely not be banned, YET parents should set some sort of guidelines, which would kinda limit the amount of maturity/violence/sex/etc. their child reads, so that's it's age appropriate.
Rabiah
iliveforreading AT hotmail DOT com
I have mixed feelings about banning books. I understand the need to challenge some things inappropriate, but some of the books challenged and the reasons they were challenged make no sense. And I think parents should have a say if they truly have their kids' best interests in mind and not just because they don't like that book.
strs4u2000[at]yahoo.com
My thoughts on banning books:
I don't think books should be banned. While there are books that are not appropriate for young readers, if parents will be involved and actually try to see what their kids are reading, those problems would be solved.
Two personal examples:
1. When I was in school, because of my mom's involvement, I was shielded from books that she felt were objectionable. At least for my age. I am glad she did that for me. She and I discussed it, and as she examined some of the books, she and I talked about why I may not want to read it. The teachers were very willing to provide alternatives.
Story 2: My daughter has a vivid imagination. I do not allow her at her age to watch/read Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. When she gets older, I am open to her reading them if I feel she can handle them. I have nothing negative to say about people letting their children be exposed to it, but I sure get grief because I am choosing to save those stories for when my daughter is older. I am glad that the choice is there. Once books start getting banned, then there is the danger that books I would like my daughter to read will be banned!
I don't think banned books should be allowed. No one has the right to decide what I and my (metaphorical)children are allowed to read but me, within the law. It's okay for a parent to not allow their OWN child to read something, that's part of being a parent, but what's not okay for theirs might be okay for someone else's. If some parents don't like certain things in their child's school library, I think it should be available for the parent to bring in a list of what they don't want THEIR child to be allowed to check out. They have no right forcing everyone else to conform to their beliefs.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Banning books should not be permitted. It is done out of fear and narrow mindedness in my opinion. Thinking for yourself should not be discouraged and as a parent I will be the one to monitor what my kids read. Not a group of people who are offended.
Thanks for giveaway
nikki Oz
gikkinikki30 @ yahoo.com
No book should ever be banned or restricted. End of discussion. The freedom of ideas and information is too important to our own freedom. However, parents need to have the right to decide whether something is not appropriate for their child and have other alternatives available.
I don't think there should be any limitations on books. They only become more desirable and popular when they are anyway. People will get there hands on them somehow. If parents teach their kids the values they wish to, that's what they have to fall back on in the long run.
Thanks for the giveaway! Gloria
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