BBW – Children's lit
Sep
27
2008

The most frequently challenged books are books for children. When I was a kid, reading was a way to escape into another world, to hear a different voice, to learn something and sometimes to hear a voice like mine and be comforted by that.

To challenge a book isn’t to simply say, “I belive this book is bad or wrong” it’s to say you believe your perspective should be enforced for everyone else and that is where the danger lies and that is why librarians are so important to us all because they are the first line of defense against those who seek to limit the choices of everyone because of what they don’t like.

One of the authors I read the most and who had such a great (and comforting) influence on me is Judy Blume. Interestingly enough, she’s also one of the most challenged authors on the list year after year.

Judy Blume’s books tell kids their opinions are important and meaningful. Her books tell kids they matter. They deal with things we’re not supposed to talk about or feel but we all do. In Are You there God, It’s Me Margaret? my girlish self read margaret talking about getting the handsome boy for her dance partner, about getting boobs, about what to believe in and why – and I knew I wasn’t alone. Every time I read her books as I got older and faced new things in my life, she kept assuring me through her books that asking questions was all right. That *feeling* things was all right.

That’s such a huge gift for any author to give and I admire her greatly. It pleased me to no end when my boys devoured the Fudge books and now that I have a daughter, I can’t wait to share Margaret and Blubber with her. True, YA is so much more honest and raw these days than it was when I was my childrens’ age, which is wonderful (and also why they’re also on the challenge list too).

At base, if the story of two male penguins at the zoo hatching an egg offends you, don’t read it and don’t buy it for your children to read. But I don’t find offense and it’s none of your affair if I want to check it out of the library for my children to read. There are enough problems in this country affecting children, getting all het up about what is in the library for OTHER PEOPLE to read is just a waste of time.

6 comments to “BBW – Children's lit”

  1. Sami
    September 27th, 2008 at 11:52 am · Link

    The only book I was ever “banned” from reading was the Earth Children Series by Jean Auel, but I was 11 and my mom even told me why I shouldn’t read it yet, mean sex she called it.

    I think it should be completely up to parents and yourself what you do and don’t read.



  2. Susan
    September 28th, 2008 at 9:06 am · Link

    Good morning Lauren,

    I had to think about this one overnight. I agree with your views don’t ban others b/c you don’t agree or like it. We have a 7 year old 2nd grader who is usually the youngest in his class that reads on a 5th-6th grade level. My hubby & I have always felt that it is our job to educate him so that when he becomes a young adult he has the knowledge to make informed decisions. We limit content ( computer, TV, books) only so far as what’s appropriate no sex, bad language, that sort of thing. We are both extremely conscious of being honest in answering his questions, again with the only limits on appropriate content for his age. This is just my/our opinion on what is important in raising our child. I don’t always agree with others but I want him to be able to make educated decisions about whatever in life & be able to come to us & know that he may not like the answer but it will be honest.

    He looks forward to going to the bookstores on the weekends & always has. His bookshelves rivals mine in size & quantity. Just a side note when I got up this AM he told me he had been up since 6:58 AM reading his new book. So, with out thinking prior to coffee, I said what’s it about? Not a good thing, when he started spouting off characters names & what they were doing my eyes crossed but I was happy. We’ve been working hard on going back & summarizing what he read & boy howdy I asked for it. I am so not a morning person!!!

    Have a great Sunday,
    Susan B.



  3. Dana
    September 28th, 2008 at 1:26 pm · Link

    To my knowledge none of these ever made it to any “Ban” listing…but had to list my fav books from childhood.
    1) Mrs. Piggle Wiggles Magic (The series)
    2) James and the Giant Peach
    3) The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
    4) The Nancy Drew/Hardy Boy Series
    5) Any and ALL True Ghost stories.

    Let me tell you, many I night I scared myself silly with number 5!

    Have a great Sunday!

    ~ v ~



  4. Lauren
    September 28th, 2008 at 3:48 pm · Link

    @ Dana – James and the Giant Peach has been on the ban lists repeatedly – in fact it was #56 on the 100 most frequently challenged books of the 1990’s.

    In addition the Lion, Witch and the wardrobe has also often been challenged.

    Don’t know about the others but there are always disgruntled people everywhere.



  5. Lauren
    September 28th, 2008 at 3:49 pm · Link

    @ Susan – yes, it’s hard to keep track but it’s what you do as a parent!

    @ Sami – yep!



  6. Dana
    September 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm · Link

    Well, I guess that doesn’t surprise to me to hear that.

    I don’t have to ponder why about the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe…but James and the Giant Peach?

    Good grief! Some people just have WAY too much time on their hands!

    Ok, right now my entire family is up for grabs..the cats gotten sick and their all running around making horrid sounds knowing I’m about to lose dinner!

    Is banning a family possible? If so I vote on mine!