Argument Essay on Banned Books

Argument Essay

12/18/14

Cassi Land

812

Reading can be an opportunity to learn and access new information about the world.  However there are many books that offer information that are at risk of being banned.  Many concerned parents are in the motion of trying to ban books like The Perks of a Walflower, Looking for Alaska and Bone.  There are over 320 challenges that occur each year.  This may not seem like a lot but for the authors who are on the list of banned books it feels as though the county is moving back in time.  The text The Perks of Being a Walflower, by Stephen Chbosky, should not be banned from middle school libraries because it teaches many kids about tolerance and how drinking and doing drugs can negatively affect your life. 

            Banning books that contain topics such as drugs, drinking and gay bashing can teach kids to be intolerant and unaware of the consequences of drinking and drugs.  If we do not keep these books in our school libraries then we are sending the wrong message to middle school children.  One scene in the book proves how banned books can in fact teach lessons, “Once I dropped the letter I suddenly felt calm.  And then I threw up until the sun came up.”(Chbosky 98.).  This evidence shows just one of the minor consequences of taking drugs.  The evidence scares kids from trying drugs just due to that very minuscule consequence compared to the far more severe ones.  One piece of striking evidence comes from the article “Schools Once Again Face Bind over Censorship vs. Book Lists” by Natalie DiBlasio states, “I’m embarrassed of course, not just for our country but for our state.”  This proves that by insisting to ban important books such as The Perks of Being a Walflower we as a country are moving backwards.  Banning books with topics that are meant to teach tolerance and the value of educated choices shows that there is no need to learn about these issues that middle schoolers begin to deal with.  The author was embarrassed for the parents who are being closed minded and stopping their children from learning about such serious social issues.  

            Although drugs are not something any parent wants their child to learn about, many books can prove to kids why drinking and drugs are harmful.  It is understandable why no parent would want their child to get the idea to make a bad choice.  However most of the books that are in the process of being banned have a hidden message which scares kids out of making bad choices.  The text “Darkness Too Visible” By Meghan Cox Gurdon says, “If you think it matters what it in a young person’s mind, surely it is consequence of what he reads.”  This evidence can go both ways; however, what they read IS what they believe.  And throughout most books the character that does drugs often ends up realizing what a huge mistake he or she has made.  For example, Charlie realizes what a huge mistake he made after he takes LSD, “I was getting scared.  The world was moving again and sounds were bass heavy and low.  I couldn’t put a thought together.”(Chbosky 101.).  This shows how the characters who make bad choices later realize what a huge mistake they have made, and the book makes it clear to the reader how terrible drugs can be for your mental being.  Books help to promote awareness and implant real life situations of consequences into their minds. 

            Despite the fact that books can push kids to make good choices, many books include many real issues that can make kids question their identity.  For example, in The Perks of Being a Walflower Charlie the main character struggles to find himself and makes subtly implies many disastrous things that have happened in his life.  He seems unaware of people’s perspectives of him and goes through high school in what seems like a daze.  One example from the book is when Charlie begins seeing a therapist, “My psychiatrist is a very nice man.  He’s much better than my last.  We talk about things like what I feel and think.  And a lot about my childhood.”(Chbosky 103.).  This shows how innocent and oblivious Charlie is about adult life.  This may confuse kids reading the book and make them re-consider how they appear socially to others.   His behavior may make readers reconsider their mental state.  However these issues can easily be fixed by talking to an adult, there is no reason to blame books that have many teachable moments for a child’s confusion.  However, just because one parent feels that the book may be too confusing to their child, does not mean they have to ban it so other parents who feel it can teach their kids to be wiser about these topics, cannot have their child read it.  Although it may confuse some, it is an escape for some who may be suffering with peer pressure and tough choices, this book may help them figure out what is the best option. 

            Many of the books that are at risk of being banned actually help children figure how who they are and how they would like to treat others.  The Perks of Being a Walflower and others similar to it teach kids how to be respectful to their bodies and brains.  It is very important to stop these books from being banned because of the many ways that they can assist teens in their pre- adulthood life.  There are many reasons for banning books but ultimately books help children to understand what healthy and good behavior is and what is a bad decision or bullying.