Banned Books

The class brought in many banned books that dealt with common sociopolitical issues. Two books that come to my mind is "Heather Has Two Mommies" and "Daddy's Wedding," both dealing with the issue of gay marriage and alternative families. In banning these books, it is saying that these families should not exist or it is wrong to be in an alternative family. Yet these books are important because it explains that there is not such thing as a "typical family" anymore. That being in an alternative family is not a bad thing. These books also allows children who are in alternative families to see themselves in literature. Taking it further, it allows the child to discuss what their family is like (in the classroom) to those who live in the stereotypical family.

A banned book that surprised me was, "Where the Wild Things Are." I assume the reason that the book was on the list is because it promotes running away and disobeying authority. The myth that seems to surround this type of banned book is that children will get the idea that they should disobey authority figures. Yet this book has the potential to be a great teaching tool for teaching about feelings and how we act on them. For example, the teacher could discuss what the students do when they feel upset. Do they ever feel like running away? Have they ever run away? This opens up the discussion to what are healthy ways to cope with anger and being upset. Instead of looking at the book in a negative light, it can be seen positively.

The majority of banned books are great teaching tools to talk about differences or feelings. In banning them, it seems as if society wants to become all the same and not recognize how great differences are.