

Bonus: Banned Books
Dec 5, 2021
Aisha Roscoe, guest host of NPR's It's Been A Minute, leads a discussion with Barrie Hardymon, an NPR senior editor, and Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast. They explore the heated topic of banned books and the critical need for children to access diverse literature. They share personal anecdotes and humor while discussing the impact of censorship on education. The conversation highlights the importance of confronting challenging themes to help young readers grow and understand complex issues.
30:54
Cat in the Hat Distress
- Barry Hardymon finds "The Cat in the Hat" upsetting.
- The mom's stress and the cat's disobedience bother her.
Default Demographics
- Tracy Thomas points out that conversations about students and parents often default to white demographics.
- She emphasizes considering the diverse experiences within schools.
Library vs. Curriculum
- Barry Hardymon believes library reading should be expansive and that certain books belong in the curriculum.
- She distinguishes between books for exploration and those for structured learning.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring the Impact of Banned Literature in Schools
02:09 • 2min
The Challenges of Banned Literature
04:21 • 5min
Navigating the Landscape of Banned Books
09:35 • 17min
The Importance of Challenging Literature in Education
26:30 • 6min

The Confessions of Nat Turner
William Styron
The Confessions of Nat Turner is a historical novel that delves into the life of Nat Turner, a slave who led a significant rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1831. The book, narrated by Turner himself as he awaits execution, explores his internal conflicts, societal perceptions of slavery, and the moral implications of his actions. Styron's work is a poignant exploration of resistance and the human spirit in the face of oppression.

Drama
Raina Telgemeier
Drama is a graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier that follows Callie, a seventh-grader who loves theater and works on her school's stage crew. The story explores themes of friendship, teamwork, and self-discovery as Callie and her friends navigate the challenges of producing a school play. The novel also addresses issues of identity and inclusion, featuring a diverse cast of characters.

Wifey
Judy Blume
Wifey follows the story of Sandy Pressman, a 1970s New Jersey housewife who feels trapped in her conventional life. She embarks on an extramarital affair with an old high school boyfriend, navigating themes of marriage, identity, and societal expectations. The novel explores the complexities of relationships and personal growth during a time of social change.

Goodnight Moon
Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight Moon is a timeless children's book written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. The story follows a young bunny as it prepares for bed, saying goodnight to all the objects in its green-walled bedroom. The book features a rhyming poem and detailed illustrations that capture the bunny's bedtime ritual, gradually transitioning from a lit room to a darkened one as the moon glows outside. The narrative is simple yet effective, creating a cozy and rhythmic bedtime journey that has delighted children and parents alike for generations. The book is notable for its focus on the minutiae of a child's surroundings and its ability to induce a sense of comfort and security[2][3][4].

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Judy Blume
The book follows Margaret Simon, who moves from New York City to Farbrook, New Jersey, and struggles to fit in with her new friends. Margaret is part of a secret club where the girls discuss boys, bras, and getting their periods. Born to a Jewish father and a Christian mother, Margaret is trying to figure out her own religious identity and has a personal relationship with God, whom she talks to about her thoughts, fears, and desires. The story addresses themes of puberty, peer pressure, social acceptance, and religious identity in a relatable and humorous way.

The Cat in the Hat
Dr.Suess
The story follows the Cat in the Hat, a tall anthropomorphic cat in a red and white-striped top hat and a red bow tie, who visits two children, Sally and her brother, on a rainy day when their mother is away. Despite the objections of their pet fish, the Cat shows the children various tricks and introduces his companions, Thing One and Thing Two, causing chaos in the house. However, just before the mother returns, the Cat cleans up the mess using a machine. The book is known for its simple vocabulary, basic rhyme, and colorful illustrations, making it a favorite among children and parents alike.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky
The novel follows Charlie, a 15-year-old freshman, as he navigates the challenges of high school, including first dates, family drama, and new friendships. Through a series of letters to an anonymous 'friend', Charlie shares his observations and experiences, delving into themes of mental health, sexuality, abuse, and the struggles of growing up. The book is known for its raw and realistic portrayal of teenage life, capturing the confusion, anxiety, and heartbreak that often accompany this stage of life[2][3][4].

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
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.

Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
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.

Beloved
Toni Morrison
Published in 1987, 'Beloved' is a work of historical fiction that delves into the aftermath of the American Civil War. The novel centers around Sethe, a Black woman who escaped from slavery in Kentucky and now lives in Ohio. However, her life is haunted by the ghost of her two-year-old daughter, whom she killed to prevent her from being taken back into slavery. The story is deeply intertwined with themes of mother-daughter relationships, the power of family and community, and the lasting impact of slavery on individuals and society. The novel introduces a mysterious figure named Beloved, who is the physical manifestation of Sethe's murdered daughter, and explores how this presence disrupts and ultimately transforms the lives of Sethe and her surviving daughter, Denver. Through a complex narrative that includes flashbacks, stream-of-consciousness monologues, and multiple voices, Morrison examines the trauma and resilience of those affected by slavery[2][3][5].

Fun Home
A Family Tragicomic
Alison Bechdel
Published in 2006, 'Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic' is a graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel that recounts her upbringing in a funeral home in rural Pennsylvania. The book focuses on Bechdel's fraught relationship with her father, Bruce, a closeted gay man and high school English teacher who also worked as a part-time mortician. The narrative is non-linear, using literary and mythological allusions to explore themes of sexual orientation, gender roles, family dysfunction, and the impact of secrets on family life. Bechdel's meticulous artwork and essayistic writing style combine to create a powerful and intimate portrayal of her childhood and her attempts to understand her father and herself.

Heavy
An American Memoir
Kiese Laymon
In this memoir, Kiese Laymon delves into his complex relationship with his mother, grandmother, and his own body, addressing themes of weight, identity, art, family, and national failures. Laymon writes about his experiences growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, including early encounters with sexual violence, his suspension from college, and his journey to becoming a young college professor in New York. The book is a candid and insightful exploration of the consequences of living in a country obsessed with progress but disinterested in reckoning with its past, and it highlights the personal and national weight of secrets, lies, and trauma[1][3][5].
Banning books from classrooms and school libraries is nothing new, but it's recently become a topic of considerable political debate. How should parents react to this news, and to the books their children are reading?
In this episode of NPR's It's Been A Minute senior editor Barrie Hardymon and Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, joined guest host Ayesha Rascoe to talk about banned book lists.The three talk about why it's important for kids to discover books freely, even if that means starting a hard conversation with them. They also discuss their favorite — and least favorite — books that often show up on banned book lists.
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In this episode of NPR's It's Been A Minute senior editor Barrie Hardymon and Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, joined guest host Ayesha Rascoe to talk about banned book lists.The three talk about why it's important for kids to discover books freely, even if that means starting a hard conversation with them. They also discuss their favorite — and least favorite — books that often show up on banned book lists.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy