Kids explain how banned and challenged books helped them and even saved their lives

[demmiblue]

Source: BoingBoing

<snip>

Ironically, some of the most frequently challenged books are the very books that young readers say are especially important and meaningful to them. Unfortunately, their views are rarely heard in the over-heated debates that often accompany book challenges. Instead, the adults – parents, school administrators, and school board members - make decisions about what kids should read without always appreciating how books with “controversial” content help young people learn and mature.

To explore the significance of controversial books for young readers, we asked authors of frequently challenged books to share messages they’ve received from their readers. So far, eight authors whose books we’ve defended – frequently, in some cases – have shared letters and messages they’ve received from readers: Chris Crutcher, Matt de la Peña, emily danforth, Ellen Hopkins, Lois Lowry, Wes Moore, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and Rainbow Rowell.

As a result, we have received hundreds of messages testifying to the positive effects of reading the very books that are frequently challenged and sometimes censored. These are books that confront issues that many young readers worry about but may be reluctant to discuss: issues like race and ethnicity, bullying, sexuality, body image, drugs, self-harm, anxiety, social isolation, violence and abuse. Teenagers are often acutely aware of these issues in their own lives and the lives of their friends, and they struggle to make sense of them.

This book helped me realize that we do not have to be perfect in order to love and be loved by somebody.

Eleanor is fat, and so am I, and you never see fat girls in YA lit. Ever. Society teaches us that fat girls don't get love, that they're a joke, that they'll never be the heroine - and Eleanor is a heroine…. This book has touched my life, and helped me see myself in a better light, and I don't want that opportunity taken from anyone else.

I Am 15 Years Old…. I Just Read Your Book Mexican White Boy. It Was Probably The Best Book I Have EVER Read. I Had A Problem With My Skin Color As Well. So It Was Very Touching And It Closed A Big Hole In My Heart…. If It Wasnt For You I Would Still Hate The Skin That I’m In.

My name is Rachel, and I'm 13 years old…. I have recently tried killing myself. [Your book] made me realize that I never want to go to that place again…. It makes me realize that people WOULD miss me if I were gone, and before I didn't know that.

I finally feel like it’s not some dirty secret that I’m attracted to girls. I finally feel like I don't have to be ashamed off this secret that has been sitting on my shoulders for so many years. I can't thank you enough, you changed my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Read more: http://boingboing.net/2016/11/05/kids-explain-how-banned-and-ch.html

[Warpy]

1. It's a wise child who realizes the best books to read

are the ones that pickle faced white Christian killjoys want to ban.

I discovered the Legion of Decency's "banned" list when I was nine or so.

[Hekate]

2. 5th Rec. Just finished a book of Terry Pratchett's essays; he often railed against censoring kid-lit

He counted himself lucky to have discovered the Library early, and to have wandered at will in it. He also discovered a bookstore in the next village that sold used sci-fi paperbacks (the owner also sold quite a selection of books and films for the discriminating adult collector, but he was under 12 and completely failed to notice).