Welcome to Banned Books Week! Top 5 Wednesday is Celebrating Banned Books Week by making Banned books we've read our topic this week, so lets get started. (To learn more about Top 5 Wednesday go here. Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey)
Let me preface my picks here by saying that I don't think any book should be banned, ever. I believe that as far as monitoring inappropriate content for children is concerned, that is the parent's job. And no I don't mean a collective of parents deciding for whole swaths of children, I mean the actual parents of the actual child determining what is appropriate for their child to read. Okay rant over.
Number 5
The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
For anyone familiar with the plot, it's clear why this book has been challenged/banned. Children being forced into an arena to kill each other isn't exactly what one might call kid friendly. But I love this book and I think it has some important things to say about violence in the media.
Number 4
Harry Potter (series)
by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter was banned for "Satanic content" which is pretty laughable to anyone who has actually read the books. Those of you reading this don't need to hear my reasons for why I love Harry Potter. You know that it's a brilliant story of good versus evil, that the characters are well drawn and the world building is amazing. But you already know that. So lets move on.
Number 3
To Kill A Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
Banned for rascism, rape, and some bad language, To Kill a Mockingbird is an amazing book that should be required reading in every high school and not banned anywhere! Sorry I got a little worked up there but it's true. It is one of my favorite books and I'm very passionate about it.
Number 2
The Giver
by Lois Lowry
Still unclear on why this one was banned, something about religious viewpoint. Okay, sure we'll go with that. I read The Giver last year and couldn't stop thinking about it for days. It is such a fascinating dystopia/utopia novel. I can't understand why anyone would ban it.
Number 1
Animal Farm
by George Orwell
Animal Farm has been banned for many reasons including being critical of corrupt leaders. I read Animal Farm in High School and loved it. It is such a powerful fable that helped me to understand Stalin's rise to power. I can definitely see why people have banned this book, but I feel the same way about this as I do about To Kill a Mockingbird, everyone should read it.
Well there's my list. Let me know what you think/share your lists in the comments! :)
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