Banning books? Something people never expecting to occur has become a reality today. Many books have been challenged and even banned from schools and libraries nationwide. One book that is frequently challenged for its “inappropriate” content is Fallout by Ellen Hopkins. This book is told from the point of view of three different teenagers. The one thing connecting all these teenagers is their mother, Kristina. Kristina is a drug addict and does not play a very positive role in her children’s lives. This book shows what affects addiction has on a family and teenagers. It is no doubt that this book is dark and handles tough subject matter, but it does give some teenagers who are struggling with addiction some much needed insight. This book shows that choices have outcomes and bad choices have consequences. Even though some people believe that drug addiction and alcoholism is an inappropriate subject for teenagers, but it helps teenager who are struggling with addiction by showing them the outcomes of choices encouraging them to end their addiction.
One reason why Fallout by Ellen Hopkins should not be banned is because it helps teenagers who are also struggling with addiction. Many teenagers are through tough times that they do not know how to handle, as a way to deal with it and escape from reality they drink and do drugs. Whilst reading this book they are shown the horror and aftermath of drug and alcohol addiction and how it can negatively change someone’s life unintentionally. An example of this would be at one of Ellen Hopkin’s book signings she claims that; “The room emptied and one lovely women remained... She shared her own story. How she started getting high in middle school, mostly as a way to deal with her alcoholic mother’s absence... But one day she found that book. She saw herself in those pages, and suddenly realized she didn’t want to be there. Today she’s been sober for two years, is graduating high school, and has embarked on a modeling career.” This is an example of how people struggling with addiction can relate to this book and how the book can encourage people to end their addiction. Also, Ellen Hopkins says that she “receives tens of thousand of messages from readers, thanking me for turning them around, giving them much needed insight, and even literally saving their lives.” This shows how many teenager’s lives can be turned completely turned around by reading this book.
Another reason why Fallout by Ellen Hopkins should not be banned is because it shows teens the consequences of bad choices. It gives examples of how big of an impact choices you make can have on your life. For example, in the book Kristina makes the bad choice of doing drugs and becoming addicted. She carelessly is having children with different men and this really has an affect on her children’s lives. Not to mention it tore up her family. This is an example of how the book shows you how bad decisions can have a huge impact on your life and the lives around you. In defense of her book, Ellen Hopkins says claims that her book; “ Bring young adult readers a middle-aged author’s broader perspective. They show outcomes to choices, offer understanding. And each is infused with hope. This shows that the book can give you a more broader perspective on choices that you make and make you think more about the outcomes of that choice.
Despite all this, some people disagree and say that Fallout by Ellen Hopkins should be banned because they believe the tough subject matters of drug addiction and alcoholism are an inappropriate topic for teenagers to be reading about. A lot of parents fear that reading this book may have an influence on their child. Parents have been working to get Fallout and all other Ellen Hopkins books to be banned from school libraries and fairs. For example, “A parent challenged one of my books for “inappropriate content.” She demanded it be pulled from all middle school libraries in the district. And also that no student hear me speak.” Ellen Hopkins says about an event that she was supposed to attend. “The superintendent, who hadn’t read my book agreed, prohibiting me from speaking to any school in the district.” This infuriated Ellen Hopkins and many other writers. They believe that “Censorship cannot be allowed to flourish in America. If you don’t like content in a book, don’t read it. If you don’t want your child to read a book, take it away. But you do not have the right to decide “appropriateness” for everyone.”
In conclusion, Fallout by Ellen Hopkins should not be banned. Despite it containing tough subject matter such as drug addiction and alcoholism, the book it helps teenager who are struggling with addiction by showing them the outcomes of choices encouraging them to end their addiction. The book shows readers struggling with addiction the horror of drug and alcohol addiction, this helps them realize what they are doing to themselves and realize that’s not what they want for themselves. Also, this can educate readers on how to make smart choices and to think about the outcomes of those choices. By teenagers reading this book they are shown the consequences of bad choices and this teaches them not to make the same mistake. These examples prove that Fallout by Ellen Hopkins should not be banned.
Bibliography
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-hopkins/banned-books-anicensorship-manifesto_b_744219.html
Fallout by Ellen Hopkins
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