Banned Books Essay Draft

“Thirteen Reasons Why”, by Jay Asher, is filled with intense issues not thought appropriate for kids and teens. Schools and parents should not ban “Thirteen Reasons Why” due to it's controversial issues, such as suicide, rape, rumors, gossip, and drinking, because the book teaches readers about these issues to show the negative effects they impact.

“Thirteen Reasons Why” teaches kids and teens about controversial issues in a beneficial way. The books shows how rape, suicide, rumors, and gossip have an negative effect of the characters in the book. Hannah Baker, one of the main character of the book, commits suicide due to all the rumors and gossip about her, and how she let things happen that shouldn't have happened, such as rape. She makes a bunch of tapes, just before her death, about the thirteen reasons (people) why she killed herself and sends them around to the people the tapes revolve around. As you can see, just by the plot of the book, rumors, gossip, and rape exhibit their negative effects. In addition on page 13 of “Thirteen Reasons Why,” it says, “Betrayal. It's one of the worst feelings.” This shows that betrayal, even through gossip and rumors, is a horrible thing and can cause the people the gossip is aimed at to feel terrible. Furthermore, in the article, “The Banned Books We Love”, by Jen Doll, it states, “Taking a look at some of the banned books of our youth, they stand out as important, books that we read because they dealt with important, hard subjects, like death or race or sex, deep emotions, and possibly isolation.” This demonstrates that important books stand out because of their controversial issues, and how they taught readers important lessons. Therefore, “Thirteen Reasons Why” uses their controversial issues to teach negative effects and positive lessons.

“Thirteen Reasons Why” also shows that suicide is a horrible thing and that it should never happen. Over and over again the book reveals Clay's, one of the main characters of the book, pain and hurt about Hannah's suicide. In one scene Clay throws up due to how horrible he feels after listening to one of the tapes. In another scene he cries after listening to a tape. After almost every tape, he feels pain. In the book “Thirteen Reasons Why”, on page 280, it says “I would of helped her because I want her to be alive.” This quotes shows how Clay wishes Hannah had never committed suicide. Another quote in the book on page 254 says, “It became a sick sort of game, imagining ways to kill myself.” This shows that it was “sick” which means suicide is a bad thing that you shouldn't do. It also shows Hannah had come to a place where everything was so bad that suicide was a “game”, and that kids or teens or anyone should never come to this place, and if they need help.. Lastly, it shows that this is reality and that sometimes thoughts like this exist and that we should try our hardest to get them out of our heads. Overall, “Thirteen Reasons Why” shows that suicide isn't the right or only choice, even if you feel like it is.

Many schools and parents are uncomfortable with their kids and teens reading about these objectionable topics; however kids should have the right to read what they want to read. In the article “The 'Sick-Lit' Books Aimed at Children” by Tanith Carey, it states, “These books don't spare any detail of the harsh realities of terminal illness, depression and death”. Yes these topics are dark, but they are reality so therefore kids and teens deserve the right to read about them and learn from them. Also in the video we watched in class, Bill Moyers says that it pains him to see people are telling other people what to read. Kids, teens, or anyone should be entitled to read what they want and shouldn't have other people telling them what to read. Parents and schools might think what they're doing is helpful and right, and that they're protecting their kids, but they're not. They're shielding kids and teens from reality and making them weak. So, even if parents are uncomfortable with the topics being read by their kids and teens, the kids and teens should have a right to read what they want.

Therefore by reading “Thirteen Reasons Why” you learn about issues such as rape, suicide, rumors, and gossip in a safe and beneficial way. So when in the real world you understand what can happen and what to do if it does happen. Is it really worth banning this book with all the positive things it offers? Or other books like it? Reading books would be the best way to learn about these things. Why take that away?