Let's Talk Banned Books # 2

Did you know that throughout history even the Bible itself has been banned many times? Words are a powerful thing, and some people often feel threatened by the words their children are allowed to read. Some of you may remember the first installment of this where we talked about a certain Harry Potter book and Slaughterhouse-Five. This time, I am going to delve into two more modern books that have been challenged much more recently. Both of the books have garnered enough fans and attention, though, that one has a movie adaptation, and another will have a version coming out on Netflix pretty quick here.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

This book has often been likened to Go Ask Alice for its references to drug use among the teen population, and though both of the books are graphic in nature at times, they also serve a very specific purpose.

I have no problem saying that The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of my all-time favorite books. It is still the most real depiction I have found in any novel of what teen life is like, especially for those that don't exactly fit in with the rest.

The story follows a young boy who has had psychological issues in the past for unknown reasons and has lost his only friend to suicide. He falls in with a group of older misfits and falls in love with a girl who doesn't have high enough self esteem to be loved by the right guy; not yet. While navigating the strange world of teenhood he learns about drugs, sex, betrayal, love, friendship, and the reasons for his psychological trouble. This is an excellent book for those who feel much like the main character and those he comes across and is a great champion for getting help and speaking up about suicidal thoughts and sexual abuse; two of the main reasons it is also quite controversial.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This is a book that is just now getting talked about a lot, not only because of the adaptation about to be released on Netflix, which I am anxious to see, but also because the book has found its way onto suggested readings lists at many schools. As the title suggests, this book will cover 13 reasons why someone did something; in this case, the reasons are about why the now deceased main character decided to commit suicide. The character, a young girl, tells these reasons through a series of tapes she has being mailed to those she believes have wronged her in her life, thus leading to her downward spiral, and eventual suicide.

The reason this book is being banned in many places is quite simple, and for that matter, a little petty. Parents and educators are concerned about the fact that there is profanity as well as sexual innuendos and other sexual mentions. However, the reasons these occur is because the girl who kills herself is being sexually harassed. This is a topic that I don't think can be talked about enough in today's world where many girls and women fear coming forward about sexual assault. But apparently many are still happy to let these victims suffer in silence.

See below to look at more challenged and banned books that may surprise you and keep a watch for my third volume of this post!