Should We Ban Captain Underpants?
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Ah, the joy of childhood reading – escaping into strange worlds, meeting unusual companions and maybe even learning some lessons in friendship or bravery. But wait! Not so fast, young reader. Before we plunge into those colorful pages – let’s talk about book banning. Yes, you read that correctly. Although many believe that books bans are a thing of the past, this relic custom from days past still takes place today. But who could it be that finds themselves on the receiving end of this new censorship? The one and only Captain Underpants and the popular Bone Series.
Captain Underpants: Underpants or Undermining?
The Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey has remained one of most popular kids’ series for decades for good reason: full of humor, creativity and appeal to the most reluctant of readers. As a result, it has also frequently appeared on the list of banned books. The reasons? Parents and educators have raised concerns about the series’ toilet humor, perceived disrespectful behavior, and even its supposed encouragement of disobedience among children (CBLDF) (American Library Association).
No matter how much controversy the series has received, “Captain Underpants” remains very popular with children, winning a its share of kids’ choice awards, and firmly established itself among young readers across the globe. And another set of teachers and librarians have given credit to the series for inviting children into reading, including kids who might otherwise resist reading. Critics of these targeted bans argue that the humor and playful nature of these books are exactly what make them appealing and accessible to children (CBLDF).
Bone: Fantasy Under Fire
The graphic novel series “Bone” by Jeff Smith has also faced controversy. This epic fantasy has been cheered for its complex storytelling and illustrations, having been awarded multiple Eisner´s and Harvey Awards. Yet, even with near-universal critical acclaim, “Bone” has been challenged and banned in many areas because of fantasy violence and darker themes (Children’s Book Council).
The bans often express concerns over content that might be too intense or frightening for young readers. Still, defenders of “Bone” say the series teaches kids about bravery, companionship and stick-to-it-ness. The compelling storyliness and incredible art are intended to engage readers both young and old, encouraging creativity with imagination (Children’s Book Council).
Conclusion
In the debate over book banning, “Captain Underpants” and “Bone” stand as prime examples of the issue – how do we protect children from objectionable material without discouraging them from reading and pursuit of awesome stories. Whatever the reasons for their ouster, these are books that tell young readers they do not have to be ashamed of who they are. So, as we ponder the idea of a ban on these stories of courage and adventure, maybe it would’t hurt to ask ourselves if those benefits outweigh any perceived risks.
References
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. “All Graphic Novels Banned in the Last Nine Months.” Retrieved from cbldf.org.
American Library Association. “Frequently Challenged Young Adult Books.” Retrieved from ala.org.
Children’s Book Council. “CBC’s Keep Bans Off Our Books Initiative.” Retrieved from cbcbooks.org.
If you dare! (under parental guidance of course)
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