Banning Books Essay

There are many controversial issues over school. There are some choices that school administrators can choose what to do. Some subjects they can change are whether or not we have a dress code policy or school uniforms. Also they can choose the no child left behind program. There are other subjects that school administrators should not be able to choose. One topic schools should not be able to choose over are school administrators banning books, although they can turn down books if it involves a project that they will present and turn in.

Many people don’t know what a banned books is and why people decide to ban them. A banned book is a book that has be censored or questioned (Brunner). Banning books involves people who believe they have a

right to decide how we think and what we see (Hub). There are many reasons that school administrators will ban a book such as violence, racism, offensive language, and sexually explicit content (Hub). Banned books have a very large range from old classics to bestsellers (Leigh). The Catcher in the Rye, The Scarlet Letter, To Kill a Mockingbird, and many other books have been banned (“Against”). The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees our right to free speech, and when school administrators ban books, student do not have the right to free speech (Brunner).
According to the Library Association, the most common setting for books being banned is school, school libraries, and public libraries (Hub).

The American Library Association also says that books are usually banned with the best intent and to protect people from difficult situations (Brunner). There is a week that celebrates banned books called Banned Books Week. This week was established in 1982 in forms of events and exhibits surrounding censorship (Leigh). Banned Books Week celebrates readers everywhere to encourage us to pick up a book that has been questioned (Hub). There are many reasons why school administrators should not ban books the students are

reading.
Statistics show that teen readership rates have declined dramatically. Forty five percent of teens only pick up a book once or twice a year for their enjoyment. When school administrators ban books, students don’t expand their vocabulary or learn different words. Also, students are not able to consider other viewpoints, imagine different voices, or ask questions. Students don’t read literature that interests them when school administrators ban books. Another reason school administrators should not ban books is because when students read they process words and the book in their mind, and the students wouldn’t be able to read books that they want to read (Breslin).
A reason for not banning books is because if someone doesn’t enjoy a book, it doesn’t give anyone the right to ban a book if other people enjoy the book. Another reason is that school administrators might think that they are protecting students, but in reality, students are going to find out someday. Readers, also, gain an extreme amount of information such as history, compassion, vocabulary, thinking ways, and social skills. Also books can change the world through the power of words (Leigh). Many of the most frequently banned books are celebrated classics because the writing says something that humanity needs to hear (Hub).
Many novels teach important values and educate readers about the world. Everyone should have the opportunity to read any type of literature on his or her own and form an opinion. When school administrators prohibit students from reading a certain book, they will not enhance moral values. Also, some books prepare readers for real world challenges and heavily influence the reader. Another reason school administrators and many other people should not ban books is because controversial books can boost the reader’s educational wealth and keep our minds alive. The author of this article says, “The irony of banning books: are you really ‘protecting’ you children from the evils of the world?” The author means that the students and readers are going to find out about certain information on their own someday (“Against”).
Students and adolescents need to hear the truth to fully understand society because society is full of many difficult situations that teenagers will experience someday. Books are also good resources to finding out the truth and new ideas. People read everyday and when school administrators take away the privilege of reading whatever book students want, it would be unfair and restricting information that students could learn. Some book can, also, relate to students real life situations and help them understand more facts about reality. There is also a moral to every book that students can learn (“Banned”).
Banning books limits our perspective over different subjects and students reading choices.

Banning books does not teach students anything. Also, books inspire a passion for reading. Books can help students grow up and mature, too. When school administrators ban books, students don’t have the right to freedom or choice, and that will not help anyone in life. Books also posses many amazing ideas to the readers (“Banned”). Most people believe that banning books deprive students from learning at their best capability. When school administrators ban books, students start to lack in imagination and creativity

(“Effects”).
When school administrators ban books, they are shielding children from the reality, which won’t do them any favors. Reading is one of our freedoms, and censorship leads to conformity. Books ignite imagination and creativity. When people ban books, creativity, research, and technology would be limited. Also when school administrators ban books, they are robbing students of potentially enriching writing (“Books”). Censorship leaves students with inadequate and distorted pictures of the problems and values of the world. Many of the books that are banned have been identified as educational value (Sloan).
There are also people who encourage banning books. These people believe that certain books should be banned. Also, some people think that books containing extreme violence, profanity, or language should not be tolerated at school. People also believe students will be learning wrong information that will not help readers with real life. Most people who do believe in banning books think that students will pick up behaviors from television, music, friends, and most importantly books (“Effects”).
School administrators should not be able to ban books, but there are some people who think books should be banned at school because of the language and violence. Everyone should be able to read any piece of literature they choose. Banning books limit research, technology, and creativity. Also when people ban a book, they give away the right to choose. There are many reasons that people should not ban books because readers gain a lot of information and values. Books can change the world.