Why are these books BANNED READS??

Question

Harry Potter, How to Eat Fried Worms, James and the Giant Peach, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. I mean Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are classics! I also saw the To Kill A Mockingbird is on the list. I mean I guess people say that it is "racist" but it is a classic and the main character is defending a minor! I was an actual part of history and yes people should be sorry for it, but it happened and there is no reason to ban a classic.

Okay, so just, if you can, tell me why some of these books are banned and what you think about them. Do you agree that they should be banned or not?

Answer 1

WHy ON earth would the books you mention be banned? Theyre superd boks. I've read most of them.

Answer 2

I'm not sure where these books are banned, but they are not banned where I live. It is likely if you live in a rather strict Christian environment that a book like Harry Potter would be banned because of its elements of magic, which many Christian cultures consider "satanic." Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn contain a lot of curse words and Huck Finn is considered one of the more racist books in the way it portrays African Americans of that time. I think that no book should ever be banned by anyone because banning a book is one person or structure taking authority over another person or group and dictating to them what is and is not acceptable or appropriate. I think if a person is of good moral value there is nothing wrong with them reading about a lifestyle or culture that is not their own. I think books are banned out of fear that the rigid control systems that ban books will fall apart.

Answer 3

I honestly cannot think of anything in James and the Giant Peach that is offensive and deserving of being banned. We read that book in 3rd grade. I have never read How to Eat Fried Worms, I cannot say anything about that book.

I disagree , but at least can understand why some people have a problem with Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn as they use the "N" word and that is offensive. But particularly in Huck Finn, Huck overcomes his racist views and befriends Jim, so that is a good book to read.

The book on your list that scares me the most is the Harry Potter series. The reason is that these books have been banned because they deal with witchcraft. They have been banned by local school boards who have been overcome by Fundamentalist Christians. These Christians are ruining our country in the name of God!

Answer 4

I know Harry Potter's "problem" is witchcraft and Huckleberry Finn is the N-word. I've heard of Mockingbird being banned for the racism and for the talk of rape, fictitious or not.

I will soon begin serving on a committee with the National Council of Teachers of English, and I think it is important that young people confront these issues and make their own, informed decisions about any books.

Mind you, I don't see teaching bodice-rippers, as they do not offer a lot in the way of literary analysis, at least to the extent that a teacher is needed to help break things down. However, I think young people--ALL people--should be exposed to different things and especially to controversial issues so they learn to form and INform their opinions to build a better society.

Answer 5

I know a lot of books used to be banned back in the day. Would you believe "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was banned too? Years ago they even banned certain movies or cut scenes out of them depending on where you lived. For example, they used to cut the scenes of Bill Robinson dancing with Shirley Temple out of all her movies they played in the South. The South was not willing nor ready to accept a black man holding hands dancing with a little white girl. What I'm trying to say is that some books are banned because they may be seen as too racey or inappropriate. A lot of it does depend on where you live though and the era. A book that may be banned in a foreign country may be the best selling novel in the US. In South Africa the book "Roots" by Alex Haley was banned. They didn't want the people over there to be educated about the crulties of slavery and feel that what they were doing was wrong, so they kept those things away from their people. I hope I didn't write too much, and I hope it helps.

Answer 6

Harry Potter: Witchcraft; To Kill A Mocking Bird: Suggestive situation between a young white girl and black man;Huckleberry Finn: A character named"***'ger Jim".


The stupidity goes on and on.

Answer 7

“James and the Giant Peach” by Ronald Dahl was challenged at the Deep Creek Elementary School in Charlotte Harbor, Florida (1991) because it is “not appropriate reading material for young children.” It was challenged at the Pederson Elementary School in Altoona, Wisconsin (1991) and at the Morton Elementary school library in Brooksville, Florida (1992) because the book contains the word “***” and “promotes” the use of drugs and whiskey. Dahl’s book was also removed from classrooms in Stafford County, Virgina schools (1995) and placed in restricted access in the library because the story contains “crude language” and “encourages children to disobey their parents and other adults.”

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain was banned in Concord, Massachusetts (1885) as “trash and suitable only for the slums.” This fictional work was excluded from the children’s room of the Brooklyn Public Library (1905) on the grounds that “Huck not only itched but scratched, and said sweat when he should have said perspiration.” It was removed from Waukegan, Illinois high school reading list (1984) because of “racially offensive language and tone.” Removed from classrooms in the Cherry Hill, New Jersey schools (1997) after concerns were raised about its “racial epithets” and “depiction of its African-American characters.” Huck Finn was alos pulled from reading lists at three Renton, Washington high schools (2004) after an African-American student said the book degraded her and her culture. Ironically, this book which was attacked after its first publication for being “too racially tolerant” is now being attacked for being “too racist.” Twain’s classic was deemed upon publication as “rough, coarse and inelegant,” and not suited for “intelligent, respectable people.”

“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain was excluded from children’s room in the Brooklyn, New York public library (1876) and the Denver, Colorado public library (1876). It was removed from the 7th grade curriculum in the West Chester, Pennsylvania schools (1994) because “it is too full of racially charged language.”

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee was challenged and temporarily banned in Eden Valley, Minnesota (1977). It was challenged at the Warren Independent Township schools (1981) because the book “represents institutionalized racism under the guise of good literature.” After unsuccessfully banning the novel, three parents resigned the township human relations advisory council. It was also banned in Lindale, Texas from the advanced placement English reading list (1996) because the book “conflicted with the values of the community.” This novel has been repeatedly challenged and banned in numerous states on the grounds that it “contains profanity and racial slurs.”

My opinion regarding banning these books is the same for banning any books, censorship is wrong. Just because a person does not want themselves or their children to read a book, for whatever reason they have, does not give them the right to keep others from reading that book.

Answer 8

One good step forward: national banned book reading day. Check your local library about this.

To answer your question it has nothing to do with the actual book or who wrote it. It has everything to do with human emotion--fear. When ignorant of powerful writing, people fear what they don't know, or possibly, understand.

Secondly prejudice, I'm disappointed to add, plays a major role with this.

Thirdly, governmental control over such issues as in the book, 'The Catcher and the Rye', for reasons you must read it to understand why.

I disagree with book banning...check out Ray Bradbury's, 'Fahrenheit 451'. This IS about book (banning) burning, censorship, and where our country is headed should this evolve. By the way, Bradbury wrote the early classics of the Twilight Zone television series (black and white).

Answer 9

All of them are smashing books, aren't they? I am the greatest Harry Potter fan walking on this earth. I am also a great fan of Mark Twain. They have been banned for very siilly reasons, although I don't know who banned them.

Answer 10

there's a great record of banned books from public colleges. i'm particular a minimum of a few non secular books are in there too. that's thrilling because of the fact they're going to ban books that are probability unfastened, yet they're going to enable us to envision memories approximately adult males having 20 different halves and abusing one million/2 of them and what not. and likewise of a father killing his son because of the fact his tribe forced him into it (we had to envision a e book like this in eleventh grade. i don't remember the identify, notwithstanding it grow to be aggravating). We additionally examine a e book the place a rape scene grow to be in contact, which too grow to be aggravating quite because of the fact it grow to be between 2 college elderly boys.

Answer 11

They should NOT be banned, this is terrible!

Keep in mind the Nazi's burned books. IE: the gov't said "Do NOT think for yourself!"

In America NO book should ever be banned, No ART, no MUSIC, nothing.

This is nothing short of sick. Read what you want, look at what you want!