Banned Books

I don’t get it. Well I do, but I don’t. What could be worse for a kid these days that is written in a book than what they see on TV? Yesterday, I received a text message from a 10 year old I babysit. It was one of those chain text messages that promise you great things if you pass it along, but if you don’t pass it along you’d have bad luck. Well not only would I have bad luck, but supposedly a little girl was going to come and kill me at night. (Thankfully that didn’t happen.) The point is I doubt that the kid who started that message got the idea from a book (s)he read, but probably a TV show or movie. Kids are exposed to a lot of what we’d consider “inappropriate or mature” content at a young age. Parents do not shelter their kids from much. Is it right? No. But should we ban books because we are afraid that the content is too intense for their already violent and tormented lives? No.



I’m referring to one “controversial” book in particular. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This book is recommended for grades 7 & up. That is probably an appropriate grade to read and really understand some key concepts in the book. Any grade before that and the kids are missing a lot of the parallels and the mockery of our own government and society. But let’s face it; we always want to do things a few years before THEY tell us we’re allowed to. First it is standing on your tip toes to get on a ride at Great America that you’re too short to ride. Then its R-rated movies that you sneak into by buying tickets for PG-13 shows. And finally kids are smoking and drinking using fake IDs. You might have felt rebellious or accomplished if you prematurely succeeded in any of those events and bragged to your friends, but how often do you recall getting really worked up about a book? (Not dirty magazines.) Exactly.

I am a 5th grade teacher and have recently been told to remove The Hunger Games series from my classroom library because parents were complaining. On the surface, the books seem vulgar and inhumane: (which I guess they are, but so is war) Children killing other children for the capitol’s entertainment. But the book is captivating and multifaceted. It has depth. The characters show strength, perseverance, and the determination for justice. The best part about this book is that it’s an easy read, but its content is mature and action packed which keeps all readers engaged and wanting more.


As a teacher, I have a hard time telling students they can’t read a book. Last year, I had a struggling reader who picked up The Hunger Games. It took him all year to read, but it was the first chapter book that he has independently finished ever. Since the book has been removed from my classroom library, 25% of my students have a book from the series on their desk that they brought from home or the public library. The reason…? Not only is everyone in the room talking about it, but now it has also been “banned” from our school libraries. All the students want to know what’s in this book that is so “bad”. Book ban backfired.


It’s also upsetting that the few parents who fought to get these books banned have not even read the book. Instead they looked up book reviews to find support for their argument. If you read the book, its not as gruesome as you’d expect. I’ll admit when I heard the concept of the book, I was a little turned off. But after reading, I can accept it for the fantasy/ science-fiction novel that it is. Just as kids know the difference between real life and violent/ mature TV shows (that yes, young kids watch) such as: Scooby-Doo, Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, Ren and Stimpy, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Beavis and Butthead. I think that while it can be difficult to draw the line on what content is appropriate for your children, it should at least be consistent. And if you feel the content is inappropriate, than you can forbid your kid from reading a book, but do not take away that opportunity for other students.


As it stands, the book is banned, but the kids will find a way to break the “rules” as they always do. Just an interesting last thought are these other “controversial” books that have been banned in many places: Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger (my favorite book of all time), The Lorax by Dr. Suis, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. The best books are the most controversial.. Aren’t they?