9/13/2024
Harmony High School — School libraries across the United States have recently come under scrutiny as popular books by renowned authors Stephen King and Mark Twain face bans, following a trend that began in 2020. States such as Texas and Florida have led the charge in restricting access to books addressing topics like religion, racism, sexuality, and politics.
Stephen King, the acclaimed author known for his horror novels, expressed his concerns about these bans in a column for The Bangor Daily News. “A great deal of good literature may soon disappear from the shelves of school libraries simply because good books— books that make us think and feel always generate controversy,” King wrote. He emphasized that while some banned books may seem controversial, they often provide valuable insights into the human condition.
In response to King’s comments, Mr. Nagy, a high school English teacher, shared his perspective. “You have to think of it from a parent’s perspective as well. I definitely don’t agree with books being inaccessible to the public, but some don’t have a place in schools,” Nagy said. “I love King’s The Dark Tower series and while I don’t think they have a part in the school curriculum, I definitely think that students should be able to read them if they want. Students learn from reading; it’s a part of the experience and it’s why the banning of classics makes no sense.”
Nagy noted that works like Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird have been banned due to their use of racially charged language. He argued that these books are crucial for understanding history and moral lessons. “Books are an important part of history, one that is important to learn. The banning of books makes it so that teachers nowadays have no source material to teach our students,” Nagy added.
Stephen King reiterated his concerns in a 1992 issue of The Bangor Daily News, warning that without vigilance, the freedom to read could be severely restricted, especially at the junior-high level. “If you are not careful and diligent about defending the right of your children to read, there won’t be much left, especially at the junior-high level where kids really begin to develop a lively life of the mind,” King wrote. He questioned whether society wants to deny young minds the opportunity to engage with controversial or surprising material that often sharpens their intellect.
As debates over book bans continue, the impact on education and literary access remains a pressing issue for educators, parents, and students alike.
Photo Credit: Stephen King Signs Copies Of His Book "Revival" at Barnes & Noble Union Square on November 11, 2014, in New York City. He has shared his thoughts on his books being banned from school libraries in Florida. John Lamparski/WireImage
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