Young Adult Books Should Be Banned?

            Young adult books are a very controversial topic today. Many books such as, “Go Ask Alice” or “Wintergirl”, have been discussed many times before. People like librarians, parents, and teachers have been wondering if these books should be banned or not. They believe that these “dark” books are inappropriate for their kids. However, authors of these dark books have been trying to keep them out there. They believe these books can truly help troubled teens, and I agree with them.

            I believe that young adult books should not be banned because they can help troubled teens. For example, “Wintergirl” by Laurie Halse Anderson talks about a teenage girl named Lia that is anorexic and cuts herself. However, she slowly overcomes her problems and eventually gets better and stops cutting herself and eats normally. This can help a teen that is in the same situation, it can slowly help them get better over time, like Lia did. In addition, young adult books can help them learn new things, which can most likely help them in the future. For example, I the book “Go Ask Alice” by Anonymous, tells a story of a girl who becomes addicted to drugs from her friend, can teach teens about drugs and how they affect you. Also they teach you how to hang out with the right kind of people, the ones that will not lead you through the wrong path. Furthermore, teens love young adult books. For example, Gurdon even says, “A number of young adult books made the top 10 in 2010, including Suzanne Collin’s hyper-violent, best-selling ‘Hunger Games’” (Darkness Too Visible), meaning that it is so loved by teens that she got a best-seller.

            However, supporters of the ban claim that young adult books are too “dark”. People like parents, librarians, and teachers, are trying to ban these books because of the content. Parents claim that children shouldn’t be reading these books, however, children aren’t reading these books, teens are. In addition, it is the parent’s responsibility to keep these books away from their children. Additionally, librarians and teachers tried to get a rating system for young adult books, thinking it would stop young children from reading young adult books. However, it would just make kids want to read it even more. In addition, Charlie Higson tweeted “Why was GP Taylor on BBC new suggesting gov’t to introduce measures to keep books out of the hands of teens who want to read them?” (Husna Haq), meaning that it would just take away the opportunity of teens reading books. Also librarians and teachers believe that young adult books could influence kids to do something wrong. However, even Gurdon admits, “Reading about homicide doesn’t turn a man into a murderer; reading about cheating on exams won’t make a kid brake the honor code” (Darkness Too Visible). Moreover, teens wouldn’t be influenced at all by these books but will be educated by them because of their life long lessons.

            Overall, I believe young adult books are more helpful than harmful. They can actually help people and could save the lives of kids who are in a sticky situation. Anyway, even if you take away young adult books from libraries, schools, or stores, teens will most likely get them back somehow because they love them so much. As Williams says, “Darkness isn’t always the enemy, but ignorance always is” (Has young adult fiction become too dark?).