The Perks of Being a Wallflower

In 1999, a book came out that every person should be able to relate to in some way, shape or form. That book is "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." As some of you may have heard, it is going to be a movie, coming out sometime next year. Have you ever read it? No? You should. It's about Charlie, a freshmen in high school who writes letters to his mysterious friend. The letters are harmless, enough. They are just about his day to day life. Along the way, Charlie meets two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who show him how a good life should be lived. During his run ins with Patrick, and Sam, Charlie learns about acceptance for everybody, he also learns about being true to himself, and that he has a good support system.

This book doesn't sound to bad, does it? It's really not, it's an amazing book to read, so why am I talking about it with other banned books? Because it's been banned, of course.

Not to be a spoiler, but Patrick is gay, society frowns on homosexuality so much more than is needed. Charlie experiences with drugs and alcohol, like so many other teens do. There is sexual experience throughout the book. Again it's about teenagers, in high school, what more do you expect?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower shouldn't be a banned book, you know why? Because all it shows is how high school life is. Remember when I said it was a relatable book? This is why. I'm sure we have all known someone in high school who was sexually active in high school. There have also been people, maybe even yourself, who have had to face their demons in high school, or even now, which by the way, Charlie does, each and every day.

Mark Twain

Do you want to know who my favorite author on the banned books list is? Mark Twain. Simply because of the reasons he is on the banned book list. I understand that the words he used in his writing were frowned upon, and highly offensive. But you know what? That's what makes his literature so good. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not racist in anyway. But the thing most people who read his works seem to forget, is that when Mark Twain was alive, racial slurs were still socially acceptable, and whether we like it or not, we can't change that part of history.

Within the past year, there has been a want to rewrite Mark Twain, to take out all words that are racial. With an argument that I find myself disagreeing with. Mark Twain, in the 1840's would have been around words he could not escape from. Mark Twain was born before the Civil War started, and died at the beginning of the 1900's. Are you surprised he grew up hearing racist words? Are you surprised he included these words into his works of literature? Neither am I. After I found out that his works are to be rewritten, I bought copies of his work, because I think that books should be read the way they were written.

http://www.necn.com/01/05/11/Mark-Twains-Huck-Finn-and-Tom-Sawyer-nov/landing_arts.html?blockID=385297&feedID=4214

Just some food for thought.

100 Banned Books

Harry Potter is Banned.

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, it's a series that I grew up with, as the "Harry Potter Generation." Naturally, of course, it bothers me that Harry Potter is a banned book. The reason it is a banned book? Because it promotes witchcraft. Which, I can see why parents and schools and such don't like this concept, because it is a challenge to their religion, and of course, they don't want their children growing up with an idea that challenges their beliefs.

I respect these reasons, but I do not see 'Harry Potter' as a challenge to somebodies faith. I see Harry Potter as a gateway to the imagination, but then again, what do I know? I'm 20. The reason I disagree with Harry Potter as a banned book, because I think every child should be given a way to use their imagination, and that's probably what every book on the banned book list gives us. Also, Harry Potter does teach us valuable lessons through each of the series. The most important, I think, is the power of friendship.