On Banning Books

Let's get right to the point, shall we?
Do I think some books should be banned? No.
Do I think some books contain mature content that some children shouldn't read at certain ages? Yes.
Does this include my books? Very much so.

In just the past few years, so many books have come out targeted for young audiences that contain rather intense content. I in no way think these books should be banned or kept from libraries, schools, or the children who want to read them.

In my opinion, if a book contains something you personally don't like, then don't read it. But what exactly is the point of persecuting that and trying to make it unavailable for other people who might enjoy such things.

If any of you have read my books, surely you recognize they are for a mature audience. If it were a movie, it would probably be rated at least PG-13. That is to say, I feel my books are suitable for a teenage audience. But, it all depends on the type of books they like to read.

I'm in full support of parents reading the book before or with their child. And this doesn't just go for my books, I feel a lot of books are questionable for the age group they are being targeted toward as many family's are different in what they expose their children to.

There are many controversial books out these days: The Hunger Games, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Twilight, of course, The Harry Potter Series, and the most recent, I believe to be 50 Shades of Grey.

But, it's important to remember that there have always been controversial books out there. Take Forever by Judy Blume for instance. Forever deals with teenagers and sex. It's a lot more graphic than a lot of the books that people are having issues with today, and Forever came out in the '70s!

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is one of my favorite books ever, and it's been challenged a lot in the past. Thankfully, now it's finally on a lot of school-reading lists. There is so much good in this book - so much to be learned. But that didn't stop it from being challenged and banned in some places before.

We must remember that we have the freedom of speech, and the freedom of press. We, as authors, are allowed to write whatever we want to... whether it's fiction or non-fiction, fantasy, horror, suspense, mysteries, books on horses, anything! And, we deserve the right not to be censored or banned. While we have the freedom of press, other people have the freedom of choice. If they don't want to read about what we write, or they don't agree with it, then they don't have to read it. It's as simple as that.

While books like these should not be banned, I feel - regarding parents - it is important to know what your child is reading. While it's not unusual for a parent to say no to their child asking to watch an inappropriate movie, I feel it should be just as appropriate to say no to a certain book, as long as the parent knows what they're saying no to.

But, as far as adults and reading... free people read freely. So be free, read what you want, and enjoy the fact that you don't have to read whatever subject you don't want to read. Enjoy what's out there and appeals to you, and be happy that somebody didn't ban it so you could read it. Because, if you look hard enough, one can find a reason to ban every book that has ever been written.

For some shocking information on which books have been banned/challenged - just Google it! You'll find titles that will blow your mind!

Thank you for your interest!

Kya Aliana

For more information on me, my writing, and to read free short stories, please visit my official website: KyaAliana.Weebly.Com