It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.
The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.
Happy reading!
We took some time off from blogging for a summer vacation, but we are back this week with some posts!
Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Middle Graders are Unpredictable–and the Characters we Create for Them Should be, too!” by Linda B. Davis, Author of Food Fight
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.
The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.
We’re taking our summer vacation from the blog this week and next! See you on July 13th with our next review 🙂
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
“AI: The Flaw in Sci-Fi Books, How AI Can Solve Most Problems Presented in Sci-Fi Books and Why It Isn’t Utilized by Derrick T., 2022-23 8th grader
AI, also known as Artificial Intelligence, is rapidly developing as our grasp of technology expands. Due to the ever increasing complexity of AI, all books that reference technology in the future without an intellectual apocalypse should have a prevalent AI component.
One main point of the Sci-fi genre is to examine potential futuristic outcomes of current situations. Unless our society has a rapid decline in technological progress, any accurate future will have AI. Let’s take a look at sci-fi series that have advanced enough technology that they should have fairly advanced AI but don’t, and how they could use that AI to solve some of their problems. Note that some of these may contain light spoilers.
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
While most dystopia series would have an out for including AI, the series Hunger Games would not. Even though the government falls, technology doesn’t, so this series should have AI. In the Hunger Games world the capitol should have AI and that should have a better way to control than to suppress since all examples of oppression have eventually led to rebellion.
It’s also possible that District 3 would have AI since they are a technology developing district. Officially they are more of a production district than a research district, but we aren’t given much insight into the research process. But in the event they had AI they could use it to tactically weaken the Capitol to the point of its collapse.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
While this series is typically categorized as fantasy, it does have many sci-fi elements, and since Fairy technology is described as being over 50 years ahead of humanity, meaning it would have AI, I am adding it to this list. The main problem in the first series is that fairies cannot enter Fowl Manor, so they take risky actions to free Holly. An AI could clearly identify the weakness in Artemis’s strategy, like remotely accessed machines, and exploited them, meaning he would be mind wiped and the rest of the series could not have happened.
Insignia by S. J. Kincaid
This series has a more obvious weakness when it comes to AI. The reason for the neural processors is to control space robots faster in the war. If the problem is the speed, why would you not cut humans out of the picture entirely and just have AI control the robots and fight the battles in space?
In the examples above, AI is not used for a variety of reasons. First of all, these series were written before this recent expansion of AI, with the most recent being written in 2012, so these authors didn’t know nearly as much about AI as we do now. Secondly, it is very difficult to write about AI without two major problems: robots and AI generally lack character development, and it is very difficult to create a reason why an AI with access to the sum of human knowledge can’t solve a problem a human can, meaning it is very hard to mix AI and human characters.
It is possible though, so let’s look to an example of a series that does this very well:
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Scythe is one of my favorite series for it’s use of AI. The Thunderhead (the AI in Scythe) is a perfect way to get out of the problems with AI. The AI itself has character development, and there are very clear reasons why it cannot get involved or act on the problems in the book (the separation of Scythe and State). In addition, the final solution has two reasons why the AI couldn’t have thought of it (I won’t list for spoiler reasons).
In conclusion, AI in both sci-fi literature and real life is continuing to move towards the future, so even as technology makes this post outdated, humanity and our ideas of the future are advancing towards a brighter era.
Thank you so much to Derrick for sharing his analysis of science fiction!
Conjure Island Author: Eden Royce
Published June 27th, 2023 by Walden Pond Press
Summary: If you ask Delphinia Baker, she’d tell you she has all the family she needs. Sure, her mom passed away when she was young, her dad is often away on deployment, and she’s had to move so much that she’s never had close friends. But even though Del has never had anyone she can call her people, she has always had her grandmother—and for Del and Gramma, best friends since forever, that’s enough. Besides, having no roots just makes it that much easier when you have to move again.
All of that changes, though, when Gramma falls ill and Del is sent to stay with her great-grandmother. Del has never even heard of Nana Rose, and she has no interest in spending the summer with a stranger on an unbearably hot island off the South Carolina coast. And when Nana Rose starts talking about the school she runs dedicated to their family’s traditions—something called “conjure magic”—Del knows she’s in for a weird, awkward summer.
That is, until the magic turns out to be real.
Soon, Del is surrounded by teachers who call themselves witches, kids with strange abilities, creatures and ghosts who can speak to her. She has a hundred questions, but one more than any other: Why didn’t Gramma ever tell her about her family, the island, this magic? As Del sets out to find answers and to find her place in a world she never knew existed, she also discovers a shadowy presence on the island—and comes to believe that it all might be connected.
Eden Royce, the acclaimed author of Root Magic, returns to the folklore of Gullah Geechee culture to weave an enchanting tale of magic, mystery, and belonging.
About the Author: Eden Royce is a writer from Charleston, SC, now living in the Garden of England. She is a Shirley Jackson Award finalist for her short fiction for adults. Her debut novel, Root Magic, was a Walter Dean Myers Award Honoree, an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award winner, and a Nebula Award Finalist for outstanding children’s literature. Find her online at edenroyce.com.
Photo Credit: Tim Hensel
Review:I just loved this book. Everything about it: the characters, the academy, the magic, the history.
First, Del is a ball of light. Royce does a phenomenal job making Del a whole and complete person who feels all of the feels and just embodies all of the emotions of a person of her age.
Second, our main secondary characters are just such great support and are fleshed out so well. Every character is full of heart and flaws and spirit (sometimes they ARE a spirit).
Third, the academy and the magic. Royce sure knows how to build a world and pull the reader into it. This academy is first full of magic but is also full of history and culture and community. And the conjure Royce introduced is very detailed and unique to other magics found in books.
And these are just three things I loved within the book; I could keep going. Fantasy readers, specifically magical school fans, are going to adore this new book (series???).
Teachers’ Tools for Navigation & Discussion Questions:
Flagged Passages: One of the triplets spoke up. “If we can’t do things the same ways they did back then, why bother learning about them?”
“Good question, Taye,” the sorcell replied. How could he tell them apart? Del wondered. “Three reasons. First, if you don’t learn the origins of magic, you will strip away our people’s influence. Our people created this magic, and we should remember that. Those who are only interested in conjure because they think it’s new or fun or cool will learn only the piece of it they like. Remember, this is an old magic born of community, and of the need to protect themselves, educate our people, and survive in a harsh world.”
“Hey, that’s the motto!” said a boy on the other side of Fino, whose name she hadn’t caught at breakfast.
“So it is, Jerome,” Sorcell Harus said. “That is why we display it so prominently. Second: We aren’t perfect. Learning ancient ways doesn’t just mean learning about our ancestors’ successes–it also means learning about their mistakes. Which will help you avoid repeating them. We all want to avoid that, don’t we?”
Murmurs of agreement from the class, including Del.
“And third, learning your history helps you learn about yourself…” (Chapter 11)
Read This If You Love: The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton, Nic Blake and the Remarkablesby Angie Thomas, How to Heal a Gryphon by Meg Cannistra, Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.
The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.
It is summer which means extra reading time!!! And I haven’t updated on my reading since the end of May… so, I have a lot of books to share!
Middle Grade
The Memory Thieves (Marvellers #2)by Dhonielle Clayton: I cannot tell you much about this book without spoiling the first one, but I will tell you that Clayton definitelycarried over all of the intensity and adventure from the first book but truly has brought the readers a new and fresh story that readers are going to love!
Better with Butter by Victoria Piontec: This sweet, funny, and important book is on our state 3-5 list, so Trent and I listened to it together, and we really loved it! I mean, it is about an adorable goat which leads to AWW moments and laugh out loud moments. It is important because it deals with anxiety and will be a great mirror, window, or sliding glass door (Sims-Bishop) book for those that need to feel seen or for those who may not understand anxiety.
Yusuf Azeem is not a Heroby Saadia Faruqi: I loved how the author balanced a middle school story that any one would connect with combined with a story that shows the racism that Muslim students and families face. It also teaches about the aftereffects of 9/11 that aren’t talked about. This book was engaging and heart wrenching–a book that is truly a wonderful emotional roller coaster.
The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julie Morstad: Ah, yes. A new Kate DiCamillo book, an original fairy tale at that, and it is as whimsical and magical. I definitely see this book as a read aloud and loved by her fans that loved Edward Tulane and Beatryce Prophecy.
Schnozzer & Tatertoes Take a Hike!by Rick Stromoski: This new adorable, early reader graphic novel is just a delight to read. Readers will love the relationship between the two dogs and will laugh out loud so much while reader! This book is a great ladder for fans of Narwhal and Jelly when readers are looking for a bit of a longer graphic novel but with the same silliness, a great duo, and snacks.
Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen: As a reader who this book was a window, I learned so much about both Jewish and Muscogee traditions! Also, readers who are struggling to find themselves around multiple identities or separated parents will find solace in this book as a mirror. A great read that everyone will find something in.
Travis Daventhorpe Powers Up! by Wes Molebash: The second book in this sci-fi graphic novel series is just as good as the first! Our adventure continues and the book powers up just as the title insinuates! It is full of action, our epic characters, and, of course, more adventures in the multi-verse. I really love this series and so many kid readers (like Trent!) will, too!
Bounce Backby Misako Rocks!: This is graphic novel was one of Trent’s favorite recent reads, and I can see why–it is a slice of life middle school story about remembering your passion, finding true friends in a new situation, and adapting through change. Oh, plus basketball and a talking cat!
Punch Up, Vol. 1 by Zachary Sterling: A new battle-focused manga-style graphic novel is going to be loved by so many readers. Pitch is determined to become a fighter and wants to be trained by his favorite fighter, so determined that he ran away from his home to compete in hopes of impressing–and he does! But is he making the right choice to compete with an aging fighter who doesn’t think before he acts????
Trent gave me a pile of manga to read either because 1) he loved it and wanted me to read them, or 2) they were rated teen, and he wanted me to read them to ensure that they were age appropriate for him. As of today, Trent and I have read all of these and recommend them all!
My favorites are probably Ex-Yakuza and the Kitten, Dinosaur Sanctuary, Evil Secret Society of Cats, Sue & Tai-Chan, and Wonder Cat Kyuu-Chan 😻+🦖
(Click on any image to take you to the Goodreads page.)
Young Adult
The Getawayby Lamar Giles: This book is so much more intense that I had even imagined. What starts as a book that seems to be about an isolated Disney, makes a turn into the apocalypse quickly and shows the worst coming out in people. Please know that there are definitely triggering events in this book, specifically lynching, that will gut readers.
The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera: This prequel from Adam Silvera holds all of the heart from They Both Die in the End, and it answers some questions that rose up in the original book. Readers will fall in love with another two characters, once again being heartbroken when death comes calling.
Layers by Pénélope Bagieu: This graphic memoir pulls incidences straight from the author’s diary which lends itself to a wide variety of vignettes, including truly hilarious ones and very tough ones. These fifteen stories will each effect the reader in a different way, but there will definitely be readers who connect with them all.
Helck, Vol. 2by Nanaki Nanao: This series definitely got better in the second volume. The first book was an introduction to the world and some of our characters while book 2 takes us further toward the rising action as a war wages and Helck and Vermilio find themselves on an abandoned island.
Show-Ha Shoten!,Vol. 2 by Akinari Asakura: Book 2 is even funnier than book 1 which makes me excited for the series to continue. The dynamic between the comedy duo is definitely solidifying and things are starting to fall into place. Looking forward to see where it goes!
Heartgear, Vol. 1by Tsuyoshi Takaki: This series deserves all of the hype that it is getting. It is a post-apocalyptic nightmare where Roue may be the only human left, so her new android companion must protect her by any means. This book is just so intriguing, and I cannot wait to see where it goes!
Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Manga, Vol. 1: Book of Heartslabyul, Vol. 1by Yana Toboso: I went into this manga without any knowledge of the Twisted-Wonderland video game, but it didn’t matter as you are quickly transported into the world of Wonderland, along with the main character Yu. His appearance in this world seems to be a mistake, but it is up to him to get home which leads to action and unlikely friendships.
Orange -to you, dear one by Ichigo Takano: The newest manga in the Orange series shows the reader the new timeline that the characters would have entered when they saved Kakeru.
4*Town 4*Real: The Manga by Dirchansky: What a fun book! Want to know more about 4*Town and their story? This one is for you! It is like a companion to the movie as it is all original stories that add depth to these characters who are only introduced in the movie. Just a cute read!
All Ages Picture Books
The Dreams We Made by Lisa Bentley: Lisa Bentley has given a special book. It is first and foremost about loss and mourning. We feel all the love the girl does and all the loss as well. But underneath this tough subject, it also is about creativity and perseverance. Oh, and the found-object collage aspects of the illustrations are so inventive and take the book into its own league.
Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk, Illustrated by Charles Santoso: Trent and my nephew had the hugehonor of having Josh Funk read his not-yet-released newest book to them! They are two of the luckiest kids because the story is another home run from Josh. This companion to Dear Dragon takes us back to the epistolary format between two pen pals, this time between a young human and a young unicorn; however, there is a surprise waiting at the end! Like Josh pointed out when he was reading, the illustrators talents are on full display in this book because the pen pals also send artwork back and forth–you’ll love it!
Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar: The Musical Story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Woman Who Invented Rock and Rollby Charnelle Pinkney Barlow: I did not know about Sister Rosetta Tharpe before reading this book, but I am so glad that isn’t true anymore (and I went and listened to some of her songs, too!). The text is very informative and musical in its own right, and the illustrations were unique, adding even more personality to the book. I am so glad this book exists so that this story is not lost.
Remember by Joy Harjo, Illustrated by Michaela Goade: Whoa. I can definitely see why Joy Harjo is the U.S. Poet Laureate. This beautiful poem takes the reader on a reflective journey, reminding us to look around at the world and “remember” our place in it. And with Goade’s illustrations, this book is a well-rounded piece of art.
All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jacksonby Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Ashley Evans: Carole Boston Weatherford is a master at the picture book biography, and this book is no exception. This picture book is a wonderful introduction to our newest Supreme Court Justice and how her determination helped her reach the highest of heights within the legal system, making it both a biography and inspirational.
Oh No, The Aunts are Here by Adam Rex, Illustrated by Lian Cho: This book is a whole mood. It definitely embodies the chaos, love, and loudness (figuratively and literally) that come with family visiting. Filled with humorous lines and colorful illustrations, this will be a fun book to read aloud.
You Need to Chill: A Story of Love and Family by Juno Dawson, Illustrated by Laura Hughes: Everybody just needs to chill. The main character’s brother isn’t missing–Bill is now Lily. This book will be wonderful for not only those with trans siblings but others around who need perspective (and the illustrations are so wonderful!).
Eggasaurus by Jennifer Wagh, Illustrated by Hallie Bateman: My nephew chose this book for me to read to him, and I am so glad he did–this is such a fun book about raising dinosaurs from egg to giant and all the shenanigans between.
The Emperor Lays an Egg by Brenda Z. Guiberson, Illustrated by Joan Paley: Another book I was asked to read, and this one is right up my alley as it is a nonfiction book about emperor penguins and their unique egg rearing.
Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink by Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham: The Prince in Pink saves the day in this one! I don’t want to say too much because part of what makes it so wonderful is going on the journey with the Princess in Black. A wonderful addition to the series!
To learn more about any of these books, click on any title/image to go to the book’s Goodreads page or check out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.
P.S. Thank you for all of the well wishes at my students’ competition ❤️ They placed 5th in the worldat the Future Problem Solvers International Competition for the Presentation of Action Plan!
Ricki
This is my week off, and we’re taking the next two weeks off for summer vacation, so I’ll see you back in mid-July!
Kellee
Well Met by Jen DeLuca
Wonder Cat Kyuu-Chan, Vol. 2 by Sasami Nitori
Tuesday: Blog Tour with Review and Educators’ Guide: Conjure Island by Eden Royce
Friday: Student Voices: “AI: The Flaw in Sci-Fi Books” by Derrick T., 8th Grade
Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!
My middle-schooler grandkids love their superheroes. Posters of their favorites adorn their bedroom walls, their T-shirts feature costumed crusaders extolling their superpowers. Yet few parents realize that the family dog has his or her own set of superpowers, not so flashy as those of their two-legged fictional counterparts, but, in their own way, just as enthralling. If only more people would take the time to wonder, “what is it like to be a dog?” (or, indeed, any other animal).
Imaginary worlds are the very stuff of childhood, and nowadays we have the knowledge to stretch children’s imaginations to include the worlds of animals as well as humans and their ilk. Over the past hundred years or so, science has revealed just how many differences there are between reality as we know it, and the many parallel but distinctive realities inhabited by other animals. The family dog is probably the most accessible example, but any animal could serve, whether the family cat, a small furry, or even a bird perched on a wire outside an apartment window. Any one of these could lead to valuable insights into how the animals around us live in their own worlds.
Dogs make great subjects for such flights of fancy, and not only because they’re so familiar to us. Their version of the family home overlaps with ours a lot – otherwise we’d find them difficult to live with, and vice versa – but there are also many intriguing differences that I reveal in my book for middle-graders, “A First Guide To Dogs”. Dogs can hear high-pitched sounds that we can’t, they’re red-green color-blind and permanently long-sighted, their sense of smell is thousands of times better than ours, and they have a whole other “nose” that sits between their actual nose and the roof of their mouths, that helps them to decode – and perhaps store – the individual smells of other dogs. Indeed, dogs’ social lives revolve around these smells, hence the care with which they choose a place to pee, and their obsession with sniffing underneath each other’s tails.
It’s not only the physical world that must seem different to a dog. Their minds work differently too, even though their brains are laid out in a similar way to ours. Scientists are still arguing about whether dogs are aware of themselves to the same extent that we are (probably not so much), but we are now sure that their sense of time is different to ours. Dogs live much more in the here-and-now than we do, having only a limited perception of the past and even less of a grasp of the future. This has profound implications for the way they interpret our actions. Most pertinently, they seem unable to understand that whenever we leave the home, they should expect us to return. Left home alone, many dogs fear they have been abandoned for good, raising their stress levels sky-high. A simple training regime can overcome this, but too few owners understand the necessity.
Dogs’ lives can also provide great lessons for thinking about what “well-being” really means. Hold on, surely everyone loves their dog, right? But that’s no guarantee that dogs will always get the happiness they deserve. The problems come when dogs get treated as if they were just little people, not animals with their own priorities. How would middle-schoolers feel if their parents ripped their screens out of their hands every time they saw a message from a friend? Yet that’s exactly what dogs must experience when they’re yanked away from every interesting smell by the leash tightening around their neck.
Dogs – and other animals – can provide a springboard for amazing journeys into other worlds, now that science has given us so much insight into their minds and how they interpret their surroundings. Thinking about dogs, especially, can give us a close-to-home stimulus for the imagination, whether the focus of the class is science, or ethics, even creative writing.
Published June 13th, 2023 by Penguin Workshop
About the Book:Featuring fun illustrations (by Clare Elsom) and easy how-tos from animal expert Dr. John Bradshaw!
Uncovering the secret lives of pets, Dr. John Bradshaw invites young readers to learn more about their closest companions: their dogs! Told from the point of view of Rusty the Terrier, this lively, illustrated book gives kids a front-seat view to the everyday lives of dogs, sharing lessons and growing children into the best pet owners they can be.
★ “Perceptive and engaging—essential reading for anyone seeking greater understanding of their four-legged best friends.” — Kirkus, starred review
About the Author: John Bradshaw is the director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol in the U.K. He has studied the behavior of domestic cats and dogs for more than 25 years.
Thank you, John, for this fun look into the minds of dogs!
“The Issue with Banning Books” by Toby Briggs, 2022-23 8th Grader
Banning books is an argument that has been going on for years and years. Over two thousand years actually. This argument is an argument on whether certain books are suitable for children. Books with LGBTQ+ representation, magic, racism, and slurs are typically the victim of this act. Some of these books are The Hate You Give (by Angie Thomas),Melissa (by Alex Gino), Gender queer: a memoir (by Maia Kobabe), Maus (by Art Spigelman), and The Diary of Anne Frank. This is only a small example of banned books today in America. The reason books are banned and challenged is to limit thinking and to censor beliefs that other people do not support. Books help children develop empathy and to open themselves up to people, places, cultures, and world views. Banning these books could narrow down how these kids think and respect other people.The act of banning books is the top example of American censorship. People fear that the contents of a book would sway a child to follow suit in violent acts or sexual activities. This act is violating first amendment rights as an American citizen to have free speech.
Reading is supposed to teach and inspire people as well as encouraging to think about what is around you. With the recent acts of trying to ban these books it is clear that state officials want to eradicate thinking that is different from their own beliefs. They want to hide away books that can encourage people to question everything around them or books that encourage people to be themselves. They want to eradicate a generation of thinkers and supportive people. They want to eradicate anything that is outside of what they deem the correct way.
The category with the highest percentage of books banned are novels. While the lowest percentage is textbooks. No matter what type of category a book fits in to it is not free from being banned. 4.28% of religious texts are banned. That is more than poetry books are manuals. No matter what kind of book type it is if it does not fit in the agenda of state officials it is banned. 41% of books with LGBTQ+ representation are banned. 40% of books with a person of color being the main character are banned.
The main argument that pro book banning bring up when talking about banned books is it’s for the children. We are doing this to protect the welfare of children. Banning books about people different from a child is not protecting children it is censoring amazing books with representation on minorities, past occurrences of our history, and books that have racist ideas or violent actions. I am not saying a 5 year old should read a young adult book but i am saying books with people of color and people apart of the LGBTQ+ need to be represented to young children so that it can help teach them important lesson on people that are different from them and how to respect those people. A study that was done in 2014 by Christopher J. Fergason shows how reading banned books can be good for kids. People believe that if a kid that is exposed to a book with violent or sexual content that a kid would try something along those lines. However that is not always the case. Reading banned books can increase they’re awareness of civic awareness and engagement. The study by Fergason shows this and how reading can provide ethical development in children.
I believe every parent has a right to not let they’re child read a book they believe is unsuitable for their age. However, I do not believe that people should ban books just because you don’t find it appropriate. Most of the books on the banned books list are books people believe are unsuitable for children. Some of those books have amazing messages and representation for children. But they are banned because people believe kids shouldn’t read them. Books with people like me living their truth are banned because of someone else’s opinions. Books with minorities who just want to be represented being stripped of that right.
I am a young reader who has been reading since kindergarten. I have learned most of what i know from the books I have read. I am also a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I have read books upon books with representation of people and kids who are like me and there is nothing better than reading a book that makes you feel like you can belong. Books that make you feel like your any other kid. However most of these books are banned due to pro book banning. I want people to be able to hear my voice, to hear what I have to say about banning books with representation on people like me. The act of banning books is stripping away representation of people like me and other minorities from books. People need to know what people have gone through but also who they are now. Books have made me feel accepted when I believe no one else would accept me. Books are my escape from everything that is wrong with the world. Please don’t ban books with representation we need those books.
Banning books has no outcome other than to stop a generation from growing up to be thinkers and being kind. Banning books is hiding away multiple generations of books with messages of our history as well as messages of being kind and curious. The act of banning books does not help anyone other than the people who want to ban them. It helps no one but themselves. We need representation in books and banning those books aren’t going to help. This is why I believe there is a massive issue with banning books. Nothing good comes from it.
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