Willa

1/15/18
A Block

Perks of Being a Wallflower

In her poem, “Manifesto,” Ellen Hopkins wrote, “Sticks and stones do

break bones, and ignorance is no armor.” This poem alludes to the downsides of

banning books and all the harmful things that can come from sending children off

into the world unprepared. When Ellen Hopkins wrote this powerful line, she

wanted to inform parents that although the world can be a terrible place,

sheltering your children from the pain is not the right way to protect them. The

majority of what students learn about the world comes from the books that they

read. If those books are banned, they would have no way of learning how to take

care of themselves in a world that sometimes seems out to get them.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, is an example of a

book that has been frequently challenged for its mature and controversial

content. However, The Perks of Being a Wallflower should not be banned from

Middle school libraries because it teaches important life lessons and prepares

teenagers for their future.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower has many mentions of mental illness

and suicide which can help teens recognise warning signs in their peers

and themselves. The main character, Charlie, has been best friends with a boy

named Michael. When Michael kills himself Charlie struggles with the fact that he

was not able to help him. The guidance counselor tries to console him by saying

that “he suspected Michael had ‘problems at home’” (4), and he killed himself

because he “didn’t feel like he had anyone to talk to” (4) but that only made
Charlie more upset because he felt that Michael could have talked to him. Many

teenagers are struggling with depression and it is extremely important for them to

know that if they need help, they have the option of going to a trusted adult.

Teenagers need to understand that there are some problems that cannot simply

be solved by friends and time. This book can teach young adults that instead of

resorting to drastic measures such as self-harm and suicide, they should speak

to someone who can help them feel better because there is always someone

who wants to help.

Not only was Charlie’s best friend struggling with depression but Charlie

has gone through the majority of his life struggling with mental illness and

blaming himself for his aunt’s death. While on a trip to get Charlie a birthday

present, his Aunt Helen was in a car crash and she died. This caused Charlie to

believe that since he was the reason she was out on the road, it was his fault that

she lost control of her car. So every year when it nears Charlie’s birthday people

start to “[notice] that [he] looked very sad today” (79) and that he has to “do it to

[himself]. Like [he does] every year on [his] birthday” (79). There are many

different types of mental illness, not just depression, and each can have a

different effect on people’s lives and actions. Once teens have been exposed to

ways mental illness can take form, they can help their friends by noticing when

something is wrong where they otherwise would not. Without these books, young

adults would not be able to learn about mental illness, which could cause

depression to go unnoticed in a friend. This ignorance could also lead to

teenagers thinking that the only way to manage their pain is self-harm, which
could have been prevented by reading. Books have taught them that many other

kids suffer from mental illness and they have managed it with healthy options and

support from an adult.

Furthermore, reading this book can help teens make better informed

choices in their relationships. Charlie’s sister, Claudia, has been in many

relationships with boys. When Charlie finds her crying in her room one day he

correctly assumes that it is something to do with her boyfriend. Charlie got her to

open up and “she told [him] she was pregnant” (116) and that her boyfriend “said

that it wasn’t his baby, but [Charlie’s] sister knew that it was” (116). Highschool is

the time when the majority of students begin to get involved in sexual

relationships. This makes it important for them to know how to be safe with sex in

regards to pregnancies and STDs and learn the consequences of not using

protection. Claudia could have prevented her unplanned pregnancy and the

shame that came along with it. This shame is something a teenager should never

have to experience just because they were innocent and did not know how to

prevent this from happening.

In addition, many members of Charlie’s family have been in abusive

relationships, especially his grandmother. Charlie’s grandmother married a

truck driver who “turned out to be a terrible person” (86) and he “really hit

[Charlie’s] grandma” (86). The abuse went on for a long time before Charlie’s

great Uncle Phil “finally got the truth out of [Charlie’s] grandma” (86) and made

sure it ended. Having a person hurt their significant other, whether it be physical

or mental, is absolutely not okay. No one deserves to be treated that way by

someone who is supposed to love them and no one should ever stay with

someone who has abused them. However, teenagers may assume that it is

normal for a significant other to lose their temper and hurt them every once in a

while. With that assumption, many teenagers stay in harmful situations and

cause the abuser to believe that what they are doing is okay. Parents do not

usually talk about topics like that with their children, so the child’s only way of

accessing that information would be through books. Reading these books could

prevent many teenagers from growing up traumatized and believing that they do

not deserve a significant other who treats them well. That is no way for a child to

live.

Adding on, many teenagers believe that sex is an achievement and that it

is humiliating to be a virgin. This is not true because many adults actually regret

their first time and wish that it had been more special. While kissing his crush,

Sam, Charlie considers whether he is ready to have sex for the first time. He

decides that he is not ready and Sam tells him that “‘It’s okay that you’re not

ready” (203). Since many high schoolers feel they just need to get their first time

over with in order to be respected, it is important for them to see a relationship

where two people love each other but neither of them needs to have sex. Just

like Sam said, it really is okay to not be ready. No one should ever do something

that they do not want to just to be “respected” or to please someone else. Sex

does not make you cool. In fact it is better to be in a relationship with two people

who love each other for who they are and do not need sex to keep them

together. Teenagers need to see examples of people who are happy with each
other so they do not automatically assume that relationships include abuse and

need sex to fuel them.

Furthermore, the content included in The Perks of Being a Wallflower

normalizes differences in sexualities. When Charlie was just becoming friends

with Patrick, he went to a party at Patrick’s house with a couple more of Patrick’s

friends including the quarterback of the high school football team, Brad. He

accidentally “opened the door and [he] saw Patrick kissing Brad” (36). Charlie

noticed that it was “a stolen type of kissing” (36) as if there was something wrong

with dating someone of the same gender. However Charlie did not see anything

wrong with this and was confused as to why Patrick and Brad would not want

anyone to know. This book can help teenagers feel comfortable in their own

bodies and comfort them with the idea of questioning their sexuality. Everyone is

different, whether it be someone’s race, ethnicity, religion, or sexuality, and The

Perks of Being a Wallflower highlights characters who all treat each other the

same way despite their differences. This is a valuable lesson for flowering adults

to learn. It will benefit their lives in the future as well as make them feel more

comfortable with themselves.

However not everyone feels this way about people with different

sexualities. There are many homophobic people in this world who feel that it is

wrong to date someone of the same gender. Brad’s father thinks this way and

“when he caught [Brad and Patrick], Brad’s father started beating Brad” (147). A

teenager who is just starting to figure out who they are should not have to worry

about whether their parents will accept them. This book can convey a message
that being gay is wrong and that people will never think of them the same if they

find out. No teenager should be self-conscious or scared to be who they are at

school or even at home. But on the contrary, there is no way to solve a problem

that no one knows about. Reading teaches teens about discrimination in the

world. After learning about this issue, they can work on making the world a better

place for everyone to live in. Also, after Brad’s father found out, Brad and Patrick

were happier overall. There may have been a really rough patch but they both

got through it. Kids need to learn that it is better to be themselves no matter what

other people think. In the end, they will be happier because of it.

In conclusion, no book should ever be banned because they include

information that teenagers desperately need to know. Meghan Cox Gurdon, an

essayist, wrote about this issue in an essay called ‘Darkness Too Visible’. She

wrote that these books “validate the teen experience, giving voice to tortured

adolescents who would otherwise be voiceless.” Her words display just how

important it is to keep these books in Middle School libraries. Students can learn

that it is okay to not be okay. It is important for teenagers to know that there are

people out there who are struggling with the same issues and being different or ill

is nothing to be ashamed of. And the most vital lesson of all is to get help from

trusted adults because they care and all they want to do is help. Books can teach

young adults these lessons that most parents will not. Sending teenagers off into

the world while still retaining their innocence is condemning them to a life of pain.

So why would we take away one of the only ways teenagers can prepare

themselves for their future?

 Ryan 1/15/19
B Block
Banned Book Essay
Banning books and other materials is a societal problem that has been going on

for centuries. However, this banning of materials has only been getting more and more

prominent in modern society, particularly in the case of overprotective parents. In schools

alone, 350 bannings of books were recorded, not including the restrictions on news,

social media, and numerous other things preventing important learning and development.

This is concerning to many due to banning preventing the enrichment of children’s,

teens’, and young adults’ education. Banning books, such as The Perks of Being A

Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, should not be allowed due to the negative impact that

would have on society; in particular, it is important to be aware of problems, to be

empathetic, and to acknowledge human rights.

One reason that people wrongly believe in banning books is because there

could be exposure to things that could taint children, and as a result, hurt their

lives. A well known author, Kate Messner, supports this idea, saying, “If books with

inappropriate material are available in libraries, children or teens can be exposed to books

their parents wouldn’t approve of before the parents even find what their children are

reading.” (Kate Messner, “An Important Conversation about Elementary Library Book

Selection and Omission”, katemessner.com) This is not okay, as removing books due to a

parental complaint is unfair to others who might be okay with the book. Also, “taking

books off library shelves could violate students First Amendment rights…” (Judge

Brennan). Another place this idea is supported is by an outspoken parent on a website

dealing with modern issues. “It is not a matter of ‘sheltering kids. It is a matter of guiding
them toward what is best. We are the adults. It is our job to protect them - no matter how

unpopular that may seem.” (Jenni White, “Parents Shouldn’t Let Schools Force Kids to

Read Smut”, thefederalist.com) Keeping kids & teens from reading diverse books

actually hurts, not helps them, as having more seasoned minds of diverse viewpoints

leads to being more empathetic, being more comfortable with one’s self, and dealing with

different life problems that may be encountered. Also, one may be less prejudiced and

more likely to treat others better than they otherwise would. Furthermore, there is an

opinion piece on BBC, where this idea is also supported, “...removing certain books from

libraries is about showing discretion and respecting a community's values, and doesn’t

prevent people from getting those books elsewhere.” (Finlo Rohner, “Why Are Parents

Banning School Books?”, bbc.co.uk) While people can access the material elsewhere,

removing the material still makes it a lot harder to access, and people who are less

advantaged and just don’t have the resources may not be able to access the material at all

if it is removed.

A reason not to ban books is exposure to things that can make people feel

"uncomfortable" and can force them to face real problems and raise awareness of

these problems. On one website against banning books it says, “Young people may find

a character going through exactly what they are, which makes it a powerful reading

experience and helps the reader sort out thorny issues…” (commonsensemedia.org, “Why

Your Kid Should Read Banned Books”). Reading banned books can make people more

comfortable with themselves or help them better understand themselves if they are

confused. If reading banned books can be this beneficial, then banning them is definitely

wrong. Another website, the National Coalition Against Censorship, also makes a good
point saying, “Even books or materials that many find 'objectionable' may have

educational value, and the decision about what to use in the classroom should be based on

professional judgments and standards, not individual preferences.” (National Coalition

Against Censorship - webjunction.org) Banning a book or other materials on the basis of

one parent's complaint(s) violates other children’s and their parents’ rights. Also, if the

books still have educational value, then instead of banning access to students, the

students can take the material and use it to enrich their own education. Even if the

materials being looked at make one feel uncomfortable, being in the uncomfortable zone

stretches and challenges individuals, which inevitably makes them become better people.

There is an interesting example which is Harry Potter. “One study found that reading J.K.

Rowling’s Harry Potter series, which is frequently challenged for religious concerns

about witchcraft, “improved attitudes” about immigrants, homosexuals, and refugees.”

(Loris Vezzali - “The Greatest Magic of Harry Potter: Reducing Prejudice” - Journal of

Applied Social Psychology) For younger readers, reading books is shown to increase

empathy leading into their adult lives, bring more social and emotional development, and

more mature thinking and expression. If books can help with the development of young

readers’ minds, then they shouldn’t be banned. After all, parents just want what is best for

their children, and exposing children to material that challenges thinking will support that

mindset.

One reason that people wrongly think The Perks of Being a Wallflower

should be banned is due to the frequent use of profanity and multiple graphic scenes

of sex and intimacy. A note: Early on in the book, there is an intimate scene cut off

before it gets super intimate. - “... so they closed the door and started kissing. Kissing
very hard. After a few minutes, the boy’s hand went up the girl’s shirt, and she started

protesting”(p.g. 30). Pro banners might take this as well as the words that follow and use

it to claim this book is too inappropriate for young readers due to the intimate scenes and

detailed descriptions of sex. Another inappropriate scene in the book is a time when

profanity is used outright. “‘God, that kid is such a f***ing freak.’ I heard one of the boys

whisper when I was halfway down the hall.” (p.g. 145) This scene has bad language, and

probanners would use this to show this is inappropriate, especially for young readers who

are still immature, as there is bad role modeling in this scene. Near the end of the book,

there is another intimate scene between Charlie and the person he had been trying to hide

feelings from for months, after being told to try not to by that person. This person is Sam,

another character who plays a major role in the book. “And we touched each other from

the waist up over our clothes. And then under our clothes. And then without clothes. And

it was so beautiful. She was so beautiful. She took my hand and slid it under her pants.

And I touched her.” (p.g. 202) This is also intimate and would be used by pro banners to

support the argument that the material is too mature for younger readers.

In opposition to banning this book is that it talks about real-world issues and

increases empathy readers have for people who are struggling because of who they

are. Also, people going through similar struggles might connect with a character. This is

shown in Charlie’s thinking, “...you see a couple holding hands, and you feel so happy

for them. And other times you see the same couple, and they make you so mad. And all

you want to do is to always feel happy for them because you know that if you do, then

that means you’re happy too.” (p.g. 96) This is a problem relatable to many, especially

teenagers who have much confusion and spend significant time thinking about love and
relationships. This is beneficial because those struggling a great deal have someone that

they can identify with. Another place where these benefits are shown is in another of

Charlie’s letters: “My grandfather usually just complains about black people moving into

the old neighborhood, and then my sister gets upset at him, and then my grandfather tells

her that she doesn’t know what she’s talking about because she lives in the

suburbs…”(p.g. 56) A family argument can be relatable by many, and since there is

racism in the conversation, this adds another layer of relatability that can happen with

many as well. This is beneficial to readers because besides being able to relate, they can

also become more comfortable with these topics that today make many extremely

uncomfortable. Another scene shows a happy moment between Charlie and his two best

friends, Sam and Patrick: “... Sam screamed this really fun scream, and there it was,

downtown. Lights on buildings and everything that makes you wonder. Sam sat down

and started laughing. Patrick started laughing. I started laughing. And in that moment, I

swear we were infinite.” (p.g. 38 and 39) This shows teenagers being able to have fun

together even while there are complicated and stressful things going on in their lives.

Even though there are some dangerous actions in this scene, this doesn’t encourage

readers to do these things because the reader has likely been exposed and directed to

appropriate behaviors and will see the scene is saying something along the lines of, that

even during difficult times, you can still enjoy life with friends.

Many people argue the issues talked about in banned books, including The Perks

of Being A Wallflower can negatively impact their children. However, this is untrue.

Claiming that things like racism, sexuality, and intimate romance are dangerous for their

child to be exposed to is ridiculous because inevitably, their child will be exposed to

these things as they mature into young adults. It is a waste to spend extra time and energy

on this, as there are many other more important things to address, including homophobia

and racism. People are facing major problems in the world, such as those who need to

have support against these extreme prejudices and bigotry that are sadly still so

prominent in the world today. In fact, many of these books actually have things in them

that seriously will make children and teens more welcoming people who will actually be

advocates, even just by recognizing that all humans have basic rights and should be

treated equally. What parent wouldn’t want their child to be like that?
 Noa
1/15/19
C Block
Banned Book Essay

Everyone has a different mind set. Some middle schoolers are more

mature than others and can handle greater ideas but some aren’t ready for those

types of things. Adults think books should be censored because of the sexual

content, language, and the message readers get from it. The Perks Of Being A

Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky has great points and important lessons, but

there are also some valid reasons that it should be banned.

To start, some families censor books because they use intense language

and they do not want middle schoolers to mimic that behavior. Scroggins, the

writer of a famous article says, “This is a book that contains so much profane

language it would make a sailor blush with shame.” Profanity is a issue that

comes up a lot for challenged books. This is because adults do not want kids

using this language. If the middle schoolers did see these words in the book, they

may not know what it means and interpret it as a good thing to say.

Additionally, language can sometimes be harmful; in this book the

profanity is strong. In the school cafeteria people say, “I called you a f*ggot”

(151). This language is very strong and not appropriate for people to use,

especially calling others this. Some middle schoolers might think it’s cool to call

each other f*ggots, because they see it in the book. Readers might think to

themselves, I can call people that too.

Also, the sexual content in The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is too detailed

and intense for younger readers. When Charlie was a little kid, two high
schoolers came into his room. The sexual behavior going on between the high

schoolers got very intense, “He reached to take off her pants, but she started

crying really hard, so he reached for his own” (30). People say that this book

should be banned because it explains how this girl is getting raped and

adolescents parents might not think this is appropriate for their child to read, and

a young child might not feel comfortable reading this. Rape is a very intense

topic, especially for the younger middle schoolers, like sixth graders because

they might only be exposed to this topic a little bit and all this detail is too much

for them to take in.

Despite the pros for censorship, some people believe that books should

not be banned because readers can connect with what is happening in the book.

Robie H. Harris, the author of It’s Perfectly Normal, says, “I think these books

look at topics, the concerns, the worry, the fascination that kids have today…It’s

the world in which their living.” When people read challenged books they will get

a better understanding of the world. Middle school students will know that once

they read this they will know that they aren’t dealing with their problems alone

and can connect. When the kids connect it will make them less worried because

they will know it will be okay soon.

There are some intense topics like abuse and sexuality in this book but

this will prepare middle schoolers for the future; they will be more familiar with

what they will be exposed to. When two high schoolers walk into Charlie’s room

he explains that, “After a few minutes, the boy’s hand went up the girl’s shirt and

she started protesting” (30). It is important for kids to know this because these
types of things happen in the world, no matter how bad it sounds. These type of

things are better to learn about sooner than later on in life. This is because

children will be more aware of these things in adulthood rather than being

oblivious of them.

All throughout the book there are important life lessons that are talked

about and should be heard by as many people as possible. At the end of the

book Charlie writes “because it’s okay to feel things. And be who you are about

them” (212). Middle school is the year where kids start to lose their self

confidence and get more scared to be themselves. People think that if they acted

like themselves, they wouldn’t be accepted by others. If middle schoolers read

more books like this their confidence might get a boost. Also, if kids hold in their

emotions until they explode, they will be more depressed.

Banned books are teaching us new things every moment that could be

useful or harmful; it all depends on how you interpret it.

 Jillie
1-15-19
A Block
Banned Book Essay
Thousands of books are challenged each year by parents, among other patrons.

Books and other types of media have been censored for hundreds of years due to an

extensive list of reasons: mature or sexually explicit content, profanity, and many others.

Parents argue that these books are not acceptable for their children to read because

they are ‘harmful’ to the child’s well-being. Pete Hautman, an author of young adult

fiction retaliates, saying, “Yes books are dangerous. They should be dangerous - they

contain ideas.” Books have always been used as a way to express one’s opinions and

ideas, so not everyone is going to agree with them. All books, especially YA books

including The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky should be kept in middle

school libraries because they are the first step to forming well educated, opinionated

adults.

Empathetic behaviors need to be implanted into kids’ minds from an early age.

Neil Gaiman, an author of many published works, sums it up perfectly. He says that

“fiction build[s] empathy” in young readers. Fiction allows people to “feel things, visit

places and worlds [they] would never otherwise know,” if they were not given access to

all books. Gaiman also believes that without empathy, the innocent children of today will

become the “self-obsessed individuals,” of tomorrow. It is vital for kids to learn how to be

compassionate and empathetic so that they will be able to grow up and become better

humans. To illustrate, The Perks of Being a Wallflower tells the story of Charlie

Kelmeckis during his freshman year in high school. Throughout the novel, he deals with

many different things that he has never experienced before. At the beginning of the year,

Charlie had nobody that he could rely on. But as the year went on, he formed a strong

friendship with a girl named Sam, and her step-brother, Patrick. From the beginning of

Sam and Charlie’s friendship, Charlie knew that he had a crush on Sam. When Charlie
told Sam how he felt, Sam made sure Charlie knew that they were never going to have a

romantic relationship like he wanted. Charlie suppressed his feelings to make sure that

his friendship still stayed intact. Charlie writes, “I wasn’t happy about Craig and Sam

breaking up. Not at all, I never once thought that it would mean Sam might start liking

me…” and he also realizes that he “really did love her. Because there was nothing to

gain, and that didn’t matter” (179). When Charlie reflects on his feelings, he finds that he

loves Sam because he was willing to be her friend, even though it wouldn’t make her

start liking him. Charlie shows middle school readers that love is complex and that it is

important to not take advantage of situations similar to Charlie’s. Stephen Chbosky

weaves important life lessons into the story while making the characters relatable and

interesting.

Books normalize the struggles of teens today, giving teens literature that they

can easily relate to. Lauren Myracle, an author of young adult fiction believes that “kids

need to see their world reflected back to them.” To get kids to read, and be excited about

reading, they need to be able to sympathize and relate with the characters. When writers

relate their novel to the reality of teens today, they are often met with objection from

parents. However, it is imperative that the fiction reflects and addresses what teens are

experiencing and thinking about. Fiction should be a resource for kids that allows them

to learn and grow. To be specific, there are a couple characters in The Perks of Being A

Wallflower that are gay. At a party, Charlie recalls how he, “saw Patrick kissing Brad. It

was a stolen type of kissing” (36). The book depicts gay couples as normal and removes

a stigma that often encompasses homosexuality. By doing this, Stephen Chbosky gives

readers the ability to form their own opinions on such topics. Charlie also struggles with

mental illness, like many other teenagers in our world today. After grappling with his

feelings for most of the story, Charlie reaches out to a doctor, “who turned out to be a

very nice woman” (208) and allows her to help him. At first, Charlie was unsure if he was
going to trust the doctor, but when he did, he was able to get help and feel better.

Charlie is a role model for the teens of today. He shows that it is okay to ask for help,

especially when struggling with mental illnesses. It is important to show that it is normal

to struggle with the myriad of issues that affect the teens of today.

Some people claim that middle schoolers should not be reading books that

suggest participating in behaviors that their parents do not approve of. In a conversation

about banned books between published author Kate Messner and a school librarian, the

librarian expressed worry that “if books with inappropriate material are available in

libraries, children or teens can be exposed to books their parents wouldn’t approve of

before the parents even find out what their children are reading.” Parents reserve the

right to choose what behaviors their individual kids can be exposed to. All kids develop

differently, and at different paces, so some kids may have a tougher time processing the

content and become influenced in a negative way. Explicitly, The Perks of Being A

Wallflower endorses drug and alcohol use. Charlie and his friends “smoke [pot]” (140)

and “drink a lot” (161). These behaviors are not healthy, and when characters are seen

using drugs and alcohol they plant harmful ideas into children’s minds.

However, books, especially ones that have been banned in the past, teach kids

how to be safe in uncomfortable situations. Laurie Halse Anderson, an author of many

books that have been banned or challenged says that “censoring books [is] the opposite

of protection… It leaves [kids] vulnerable…. And it opens up opportunities for them to be

hurt.” When kids are shielded from reality, they lose access to necessary knowledge that

helps them navigate through tricky situations. The more they learn, the more experience

and resources they will have if a tough situation arises. In The Perks of Being a

Wallflower, after Charlie goes to a party and tries LSD, a drug that alters thoughts,

feelings, and one’s awareness of surroundings, he vows “to never take LSD again”

(100). Charlie is realistic, depicting a curious teen who is experimenting with drugs, and
learning from it. This event teaches kids that you have control over your life, and what

behaviors you choose to partake in. Drugs and alcohol do not solve every problem. In

addition, Charlie makes good decisions when it comes to partaking in alcohol use. After

describing how he and his friends “drink a lot,” he clarifies by saying “actually, it’s more

like Patrick drinks, and I sip” (161). Even though his friend drinks heavily, Charlie refrains

from becoming intoxicated. He gives teens an example of how to be safe and not give in

to peer pressure, but still feel included in the group.

Books are the backbone of our society. They help educate our kids and form our

future leaders. Parents claim that they are just trying to protect their kids from the scary

reality of the world today, but censorship is not the answer, and it never will be. Kids

need to understand the serious and often frightening issues in the world so that they are

able to grow. They need to be aware, and they need to be alert. All censorship does is

hide ideas, ideas that need to be heard by everyone.