It is important to read books that have been banned. As I have trudged through the long list of books that are banned in Alpine School District, I have picked out a few that have caught my attention.
“19 Minutes” taught me how important it is to extend compassion to the parents of a killer. “TTYL” taught me that when a 15-year-old girl takes off their shirt and bra at a frat party after getting incredibly drunk, this will lead to intensely derisive peer confrontations. If that girl happens to have forgiving friends, they will be more likely to make it through.
“This Book Is Gay” taught me that it doesn’t matter what gender or sexual preference you have, treating your partner or close friends with kindness and respect yields amazing relationships.
“Gender Queer” taught me that when someone is brave enough to guess and check about their identity, these mistakes bring one closer to internal happiness.
“What Girls Are Made Of,” which is also banned statewide, taught me that if a young girl decides to have an abortion by the abortion pill, one can find genuine support in open-minded people who exist in all states of America.
Support starts with vulnerability. Each of these young adult novels teaches life lessons that I wish I knew earlier in life. Prohibiting the children of Utah from having access to these life lessons leaves them alone and unsupported during many life defining moments.
Do we want children to be brave? Do we want children to see a path forward during traumatic incidents? If so, we need to expose them to the uncomfortable questions, so children see ways forward when it seems impossible for life to go on.
Lisa Hazel, Salt Lake City