SYSK Selects: How Book Banning Works

In 'My Mom's Having a Baby', Dori Hillestad Butler narrates the story through Elizabeth, a young girl whose mother is pregnant. The book takes readers through the nine months of pregnancy, explaining prenatal development and the facts of life. It has been praised for its educational content but has also faced censorship due to its detailed explanations of human reproduction. The book is illustrated by Carol Thompson and is intended for children to learn about childbirth with parental guidance.

This book offers a comprehensive look into the world of Holden Caulfield, explaining and elaborating on the people, places, and events that are central to J.D. Salinger's classic novel. It provides readers with a deeper understanding of the context and themes within 'The Catcher in the Rye'.

In *I Am the Cheese*, Robert Cormier crafts a tense psychological study of Adam Farmer, a teenager embroiled in a mystery involving his family's past and his own identity. The novel alternates between Adam's bike ride to visit his father and his sessions with a mysterious interrogator, Brint, revealing a dark and unsettling truth about Adam's life. This award-winning novel is a classic in young adult literature, known for its gripping narrative and exploration of themes such as identity, trauma, and the blurring of reality.

Set in a post-apocalyptic North America known as Panem, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers to participate in the 74th Hunger Games to save her younger sister Prim. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from District 12, Katniss must use her hunting skills and wits to survive the arena. The Games are a tool of oppression by the Capitol to remind the districts of their defeat in a past rebellion. As Katniss and Peeta navigate the treacherous arena, they also manipulate the audience and sponsors to gain advantages, while sparking the beginnings of a rebellion against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.

Cecil Woodham-Smith's 'The Reason Why' is a compelling historical narrative that recounts the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. The book focuses on the roles of Lords Cardigan and Lucan, highlighting the arrogance, miscommunication, and systemic flaws within the British military that led to the tragic event. Woodham-Smith's work is both a critique of the Victorian class system and a vivid portrayal of military incompetence.

Published in 1937, 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck is a novella that tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression. The narrative revolves around their dream of owning a small farm, a symbol of the American Dream. However, their plans are continually thwarted by circumstances, including Lennie's accidental killing of the ranch owner's daughter-in-law, which leads to a tragic conclusion. The book is known for its vivid portrayal of farm life, its exploration of themes such as loneliness, friendship, and the harsh realities of the labor system, and its objective narrative style. It has been widely adapted into stage and film versions and remains a significant work in American literature.

In 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings', Maya Angelou recounts her early life from the age of three to seventeen. The book describes her experiences growing up in the segregated South, including her time living with her paternal grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, and later with her mother in St. Louis and California. Angelou delves into themes of racism, identity, and the struggles of being a Black girl in a male-dominated society. The memoir also touches on her personal struggles, such as being sexually abused at the age of eight and finding solace in literature and her own strong spirit. The book is a powerful exploration of resilience and the impact of societal oppression on individual lives.

This book is a timeless collection of scary tales and legends, compiled by folklorist Alvin Schwartz. It features over two dozen stories that include ghosts, skeletons, and other supernatural elements. The stories are often dark and do not have tidy, happy resolutions, making them thrilling and memorable. The book is illustrated by Stephen Gammell, whose creepy drawings enhance the spooky atmosphere of the tales. The collection also includes tips on how to scare an audience when telling the stories aloud, adding to the overall eerie experience.

The Harry Potter series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard. The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world. The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.

This picture book, published in 1990, follows a young boy whose parents are divorced and whose father now lives with his life partner, Frank. The story depicts the boy's experiences with his father and Frank, including their daily activities, outings, and the explanation of their relationship. The book uses simple language and descriptive illustrations to make the concept accessible to young readers. It has been praised for its positive portrayal of a gay household and has been included in many educational programs, despite facing controversy and challenges due to its subject matter.

Forever. . . is a groundbreaking novel by Judy Blume that delves into the complexities of teenage relationships, focusing on Katherine and Michael's journey through first love, sexual exploration, and eventual heartbreak. The book has been both celebrated for its honest portrayal of teenage sexuality and challenged for its explicit content.

Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic novel that explores themes of racial injustice, childhood innocence, and moral courage in the American South. The story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl who witnesses the trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of a crime. Lee's powerful storytelling captures the complexities of race relations in the Jim Crow South, highlighting the prejudice and injustice faced by Black people. The novel's enduring appeal lies in its exploration of universal themes of empathy, compassion, and the importance of standing up for what is right. It remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.

Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom.

The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from Pencey Prep, as he spends three days wandering around New York City. The novel explores Holden's disillusionment with the world around him, his feelings of loneliness and disconnection, and his struggle to find genuine relationships. Despite his cynicism and criticism of others as 'phonies,' Holden reveals a deep emotional sensitivity, particularly in his interactions with his younger sister Phoebe. The book delves into themes of adolescent angst, the loss of innocence, and the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly superficial world.

The Goosebumps series, launched in July 1992 with the first book 'Welcome to Dead House', consists of 62 original books and numerous spin-off series. The stories are known for their blend of horror and humor, with protagonists often finding themselves in remote or isolated locations facing supernatural or paranormal threats. The series has spawned television series, video games, a comic series, and feature films, and has sold over 400 million copies worldwide, making it the second-best-selling book series in history after Harry Potter.