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Books being Banned Nation Wide

Books are commonly banned in other schools or libraries because of racial issues, slurs, violence or controversy. A wide variety of censorship in books including sentences, pages, chapters, or whole books can limit lessons to which kids have been exposed. Now, the Woodland library offers books that have been banned or challenged in other schools or libraries, which helps students with being exposed to life lessons.

The first book banned in the United States was New English Canaan by Tomas Morton. This book was banned by the Puritans because it was a tell-all take down novel that insulted and critiqued the Puritans on religion, social standards and more. Censoring because of an insult to someone can be seen within communities today. If a piece of literature insults or criticizes an aspect of the community, it is likely to be challenged.

Popular books like Looking For Alaska by John Green, Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, and even Anne Frank’s diary, all have intended lessons that could teach kids or teens about self-sacrifice, independence and inner conflict.

The potential influence of a books contents could cause a book to be banned. The Banned Books Week program gives lists of banned or challenged books every year. The program started this to give the freedom of reading and gaining knowledge.

“Participating allows us the freedom to read,” said Kathryn Smith, library media specialist. “We want to draw attention to books that have been challenged. When you think Charlotte’s Web has been challenged you kind of think you should draw attention to it.”

Thanks to the Woodland library, students have the freedom to read and learn about nearly any topic they are interested in. Smith believes bringing attention to banned books gives students opportunities to read more types of books that challenge them.

“It’s still important to know and learn about everything.”

Ashley Mayfield

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