The Great Gilly Hopkins

So I just wrote a research paper on the banned book list and censorship in the classroom. I picked the topic myself because I really am a fan of our first amendment and don't appreciate it when people say what I can and cannot read. I am an advocate of parents having a say in what their children read. A parent can judge the maturity of their child and whether they can handle the content of certain books. However, a parent does not have the right to tell me what my child can or cannot read.

Anyways, so as I was researching this topic I came across an interview with Katherine Paterson, who wrote Bridge to Terabithia, as well as other numerous books. I loved Bridge to Terabithia, it made me bawl like a baby. So I was astounded that that book was on the banned book list for the ridiculous reason of paganism (when the kids did silly worship stuff in the forest, it's the imagination, hello!) and the language that the kids use. Anyhow, another book of hers received even more criticism than Bridge to Terabithia, but I had never read it, so I knew that I had to. This book is called The Great Gilly Hopkins. Amazing book. Again, I bawled like a baby through it. This book has been criticized even more because the main character, Gilly, has the mouth of a sailor. It's really not that bad, I've heard much worse on network television. After reading this book the question came to mind, what is wrong with society? After reading this book I felt so much more enlightened than I had before. People need to stop being prudes. In her interview, Paterson told how she had been accused of being anti-Christian. She is the wife and daughter of a minister. Seriously. How ignorant can people get? Next thing you know, we're going to be as bad as the Nazis and burn every book that we don't necessarily agree with or like. Anyone seen Footloose lately? Enough said. We have the freedom to put the book down if we don't want to read it. Kids have the option of reading another book if they don't feel comfortable reading the one that is assigned. I have made a goal to read as many books as I can that are on the banned book list. I will not be a party to censoring such wonderful things. Seriously people, let's grow up a little.