Banned Books Logic

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I didn't become aware until today that this is Banned Book Week. Rather than review a banned book, I've decided to write a little bit about reading banned book.

There are some books that I've only read because they are on the Banned Book list. Out of those, there are many that I'm glad I did. On the other hand, there are a lot of books I've read that I suspect are only popular reads because they have been banned so frequently. Some of Judy Blume's books are good examples of this, such as Deenie. I didn't find it all that believable and I can't help but think that it was written in order to be controversial.

Another example is Sex Education by Jenny Davis. The premise is alright, and starts off reasonably. But some of the characters are over the top and their motives do not always make sense. The ending is not only disappointing but rather extreme as well.

The topic of Banned Books brings up a second moral issue. Is reading a book just because it's banned all that different than not reading a book because it's banned? Also, is there ever an acceptable reason for keeping a book away from readers?

Finally, I would like to know if your school does anything in honor of Banned Book Week.

"Forever"

"Forever" is one of my favorite Judy Blume books. In my opinion, it does a better job of speaking to its audience than any of her other books. At the same time, it is still sincere and not exaggerated.

For those of you who do not know, "Forever" is about Katherine, a high school senior who has sex for the first time with her boyfriend, Micheal. It is about their relationship over the next few months as well as what is going on in their friends' lives. When they are together at first, they think they will be together, a summer spent apart proves that things will not work out.

Published in 1975, "Forever" is frequently challenged because of the descriptions of sex, and the presence of birth control. However, I feel that it gets information across to its audience in a honest and unbiased way without talking down to them. While it does not encourage sex, it does demonstrate that it is a reality. I recommend this book for anyone in high school above (I do not feel that it would be inappropriate for middle schoolers, but they may not get as much out of it) although I think it speaks especially to girls more than boys.

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"Sex Education"

"Sex Education" by Jenny Davis is a book about two students taking high school biology. Their teacher has decided that the first half of the school year learning about sexual health, but it will not be limited to science and diagrams. She gives them assignments such as telling themselves they are beautiful and making another person's life better.

This book was published in 1988 and was banned or challenged due to presentation of sex education. While I understand what the author was trying to do, I did not enjoy this book. Nor do I think it is a good source of information for teenagers who are wanting to learn how to deal with sex. This book did not address the emotions of having sex or protection; in fact, little of this book had anything to do with sex at all. The only thing I learned from it is to not help people. On top of that, the ending did not seem at all realistic, and rather disturbing.

This is one of those books that is only ever read because it is banned, in my opinion at least. I would like to know what every one else thinks.

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