Sanjana

1/24/19
C Block

Many parents are finding themselves in a situation where their children are

reading books that they don’t approve of. Maybe they don’t want their children reading

books with things such as sexually explicit content, or they don’t agree with the topics

addressed in their child’s book. Therefore, they think that the only suitable course of

action is to get rid of the ‘inappropriate’ books that their child has access to. A lot of

parents choose this option, but is it really the best thing to do? What’s the point of

banning books which include topics that children are bound to find out about anyways?

At some point in their lives, children will be exposed to taboo subjects such as

homosexuality and sexual relationships, and it’s better for them to find out about subjects

like these earlier on, so they’ll know how to deal with it by the time they’re adults. With

this in mind, it’s easy to see that no book should be banned from a middle school library

due to taboo subjects, including Drama by Raina Telgemeier.

Books shouldn’t be banned at all, as the majority of the time, parents are more

afraid of the books their child might have access to than kids are, and the parents aren’t

even the ones reading the book. Procon.org suggests that “parents have the right to decide

what material their children are exposed to…”, reasoning that parents know what’s best

for their children and they have the right to pick and choose what’s right for their child.

But as author Ellen Hopkins writes in her poem “Manifesto”, “You say you’re afraid for

children, innocents ripe for corruption...you do not speak for me, and you will not deny

my kids magic in favor of miracles.” While parents can decide what their children reads

if they really want to, they have no right to deny other people’s children access to books
that are appropriate for them. We shouldn’t expect every child to be at the same reading

level; that just isn’t fair. Also, most of the time, parents who want to ban books hide

behind the excuse that they’re afraid for children and that these books will corrupt them,

when really, they’re just afraid for themselves. They don’t want to have to deal with

talking about uncomfortable topics with their children. Not every child is exactly the

same as their parents. Just because an adult in their life isn’t ready to deal with these

topics doesn’t mean they can’t learn about them.

If Drama by Raina Telgemeier was banned from middle school libraries, then

kids would miss out on the normalization of taboo subjects such as homosexuality. In

Drama, the main character Callie befriends a pair of twin boys, one of whom we find out

is gay early on in the book. Justin pulls Callie aside at lunch to talk to her, and while

they’re having a conversation he accidentally tells her that he’s gay. Callie is taken aback

at first, saying “‘When you say he’s cute, do you mean like…’” (65). Justin responds,

“‘Like, I like boys? Yeah.’” (65) They talk about it for a little while, and at the end Callie

hugs him and tells him “‘Your secret’s safe with me.” (67) Although Callie is confused at

first, she is quick to accept Justin and doesn’t think any differently of him, something that

would be beneficial to children who are just learning about this specific group of people.

A great thing about this book is that Justin’s sexuality is not irrationally obsessed over, as

our generation tends to do with the LGBTQ+ community, and this book shows kids that

gay people are just like us. After Justin comes out, no one is fixated on it, and he’s treated

normally from the moment he tells Callie. If this book was banned from a middle school

library, kids would miss out on learning an important life lesson like this one.
 Drama also lets kids who are trying to figure themselves out connect to characters

like Jesse and Justin, who view their sexuality positively, yet still have trouble with parts

of their identities like normal middle school boys. Justin is a great example of this. As

stated earlier, when he comes out to Callie, she’s initially confused and doesn’t react.

Justin is understanding of this and tells her “‘Gay? You can say it! I don’t mind.’” (65)

showing that he’s already come to terms with his sexuality and views it in a positive

light. That being said, Justin is still a normal teenage boy with standard insecurities. After

the cast list of the school musical, Justin is initially disappointed as he didn’t get the lead,

saying “‘I didn’t get the part of Bailey.’” (83) Callie and Jesse, his twin brother, try to

comfort him as he still got a major role, but eventually it gets too much for him and he

blows up at them, angrily saying “‘You guys are missing the point! I’m bummed out,

okay?’” (84) and storming off. Justin, while still being incredibly proud of his sexuality,

still has insecurities and gets mad about the same things as many middle schoolers do.

The relatability of characters like these is so important, as younger people trying to sort

out their sexuality need characters like Jesse and Justin to represent their internal

struggle. If this book was banned, they wouldn’t have any means of healthy

representation.

Some people may argue that Drama may bring up conversations between children

and their parents that the parents don’t want to start. Many parents aren’t the most

accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, and don’t want their children to find out about it

in such an innocently portrayed book. They might not enjoy the nonchalant way that

homosexuality is addressed, as the way Justin acknowledges the fact that he's gay is very

straightforward, simply saying “‘Gay? You can say it! I don’t mind.’” (65) as they might
believe that their child doesn’t need to find out about topics like these at such a young

age. Having said that, if children find out about homosexuality earlier on in their lives,

they’ll better understand it as adults and know where they stand on the subject. If children

learn about the LGBTQ+ community when they’re well into their teens or even older,

they’ll be confused and won’t understand, as they’ve been brought up for their entire

lives thinking that the only kind of acceptable romantic relationship is between a man and

a woman. Reading this book may also open middle schoolers’ eyes to homosexuality. If a

child already knows about the LGBTQ+ community but isn’t very accepting of it because

of their parent’s beliefs, reading this book may make them rethink their opinions on the

topic. This book, while maybe bringing up conversations that parents don’t want to deal

with, enlightens children about the LGBTQ+ community and teaches them that queer

people are just like us.

There’s no way to change the point of view of adults who are against the

LGBTQ+ community. They’ve already made up their minds. There’s no point of doing

that. But children whose brains haven’t fully developed yet are still so impressionable of

adults like those, and if they aren’t educated, they’ll adopt the same sort of views. We

want there to be more equality in the world, don’t we? If Drama stays in schools, middle

schoolers will have the ability to learn more about homosexuality and could even decide

that they are supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. If we teach children about topics

like these, they’ll be able to clarify their beliefs at a younger age and possibly be more

accepting of queer people. And wouldn’t that be nice?

 Saul
1/15/19
C

Banned book essay

Imagine that you are part of the LGBTQ community, and you go to a

library to get the book Drama. You try to check it out, and the librarian says you

can't get that book because it is banned due to reference to homosexuality. Now

you feel bad about being gay, and you are questioning your sexuality because of

a group of people banning the book. No book, including Drama, by Raina

Telgemeier, should be banned due to its mature and controversial subjects.

Drama can help teenagers who are questioning their sexuality make a

decision. In the book, Jessy, a boy who is questioning his sexuality is talking to

his friend Callie, a girl who helps him make that decision. Telgemeier

writes, “How ever it was you who told me to go after what makes me happy”

(214).This line might help middle school students that are uncertain about their

sexuality make the right decision, realizing that they should go for what makes

them happiest. Also, could help the middle school students that are uncertain

realize that there are more people like them, and they are not alone.

Drama also teaches the reader how to become a better friend and make

new friends. Jessie tells his friend for the first time that he is gay, and that he

doesn't want anyone else to know about it. Tegemier writes, ‘“Your secret is safe

with me’. ‘Thanks’” (67). The characters teach middle school students that the

best friends will keep a secret safe from other people. Also, it teaches teenagers
what it means to be a good friend and how to become a better friend by

supporting each other, and being with them when they need it the most.

Some people believe that Drama should be banned because two boys

kiss during the play. In the book there is a play, and at the last scene a boy and a

girl kiss. One of the girls leaves the play, and someone needs to take over the

lead role. Jessie puts on a dress, goes up on stage, does the part, and kisses

the boy (185 ). Some people that don’t want their children to see two boys kiss,

will get upset at this part of the book and will challenge the book. Even if parents

ban or challenge the book to protect their kids from homosexuality, their kids will

still be exposed to gay people in the real world because it is 2019, and there are

gay people in movies, tv shows, and everywhere children walk. Also this can help

teenagers come out about their sexuality if they were thinking of that.

I think Drama should not be banned because it can help teenagers

become better friends, make better friends, as well as help teenagers come to

terms with their sexuality and fell supported. According to Robie H. Harris, author

of It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing up, Sex, and Sexual Health,

“books look at the topics, the concerns, the worry, the fascination that kids have

today... It's the world in which they're living."

 Aidan
1/25/19
C Block
Banned Book Essay

Some people believe that certain books should not be banned because,

“books are a portal to different life experiences,” (Procon.org Banned Books-Top

3 pros and cons). This is true, however it is wrong to expose readers to

disturbing material found in books at a young age. The graphic novel Drama by

Raina Telgemeier is an example of a book that should be banned because it

lures young readers in with its appealing style and it exposes kids to homosexual

characters.

There are many reasons why Drama should be banned, one of them is

that the book lures young readers in because it is a graphic novel. “The cover

shows three characters walking across a stage, and the art style is appealing

because it is similar to that of a cartoon,” (Cover). The reason why this shows

that Drama should be banned is because the cartoon-like art style used in the

book mislead parents into thinking the content in the book is kid-friendly which is

not true.

Another reason why Drama should be banned is because the book

exposes young readers to homosexual characters. “Two boys are shown kissing

on stage in front of a large audience,” (188). Some parents don’t want their child

exposed to this material and the parent and/or child might feel uncomfortable

with it which is a reason why Drama should be banned.

While I think that Drama should be banned, some people may think

otherwise, arguing that the book should not be banned because it prepares
young readers for larger world experiences. Jessie, a main character in the book

states, “You’ve played such a huge role in breaking me out of my shell,” (223).

Drama teaches the reader valuable life lessons which could prepare them for

larger world experiences. Readers could also connect and/or feel a sense of

empathy to certain characters in the book which could help young readers deal

with difficult things later on in life. While this is true, it is not right to expose young

readers to disturbing material during a early stage in their life because the reader

might not understand the important life lessons hidden in the book. Also the

reader should not not be taught this material in the book until they are older

and/or ready to learn it.

In the end, Drama by Raina Telgemeier should be banned because it

lures in young readers with its appealing style and because it exposes kids to

homosexual content.
 Jeanette
1/17/19
C Block

Banned Book Essay

Neil Gaiman writes, “Empathy is a tool for building people into groups,

for allowing us to function as more than self-obsessed individuals.” Drama,

Raina Telgemeier, should not be banned for middle schoolers because

teenagers should be free to choose, learn new topics, and empathy.

First, Drama is an example of a book for people not to ban

because all teenagers should have freedom of choice and as citizens we

have the right to choose books we want to read. The US Supreme Court

says, “local school boards may not remove books from a school libraries

simply because the dislike the ideas contained in those books.” Some

children want to read different types of books than others and don’t care if

the book has mature content. If you ban a book, there are less books to

choose from, and kids don’t want to read. It is not right to take away books

from kids.

Some parents want to protect their children by banning books with

content that the kids are not used to. Parents are worried that kids will

not make appropriate choices on what they do in life. They also don’t want

their kids doing what the characters in the book are doing. In this part of
Drama a boy and girl are sitting down on a bench, and the boy says, “ ‘But,

But… she liked me’ Calie says ‘she’s not the only one.’ ” (10) Calie kisses

Greg. While teenagers or other kids are reading this book they are not

comfortable with looking at inappropriate pictures of people kissing.

Teenagers and kids dont what to read books about LGBTQ, so they think the

book need to be banned. If kids are not comfortable on what they are

reading then they should not read the book. Teenagers can make their own

choices, but little kids have their parents to make their choice on what to

read. Students in school can always ask teachers or librarians if the book in

appropriate for them as they are still young.

Some parents don’t want their kids to read books with

inappropriate content so, they what the book to be banned. On the other

hand some other parent and their kids don't care what they read so why

should they take away one book from them? The kids want to read whatever

they want so why take away a book from them just because of one kid and

their parents. Why do people take away books from libraries with weird

content? All the stuff are on the internet and kids have access to a

computer or electronic and can always look up gross stuff. Some parents

have a good reason to ban the book but, why do they need to?
 Lastly, Middle schoolers should have the opportunity to understand

and have empathy to talk and read about other people having the same

problem as them. At this moment in the story, Callie and calies friend,

Justin, were sitting on the grass outside next to the track and Callie sayes, “

‘Okay, so does anybody else know? Does your brother know?’ ‘Jesse’s the

first person I ever told’ ‘Is he gay?’ ” (66). Some kids want to feel safe in

school and trust their friends if they tell them something important. Some

students tell friends something important and then they go and tell everyone

about them but, some kids don’t like that. Middle school kids can learn how

to care for friends when they are told something important and private.

Some students think that school is not a safe place for them but, some

books are trying to tell kids that as long as you can trust your friends and

teachers, it is a good place. Some books are trying to make teenagers like

school and have them enjoy it but, student don’t see that in books and don’t

understand what they are reading.

Banned books SHOULD BE allowed.

 Tatum
1/15/19
C Block

Banned Book Essay

When I first started reading Drama, by Raina Telgemeier, I thought it was

going to be a light, quick book. Although it was interesting, I realized it had

mature content young children might not be able to handle. Later, I learned that

this book was banned and censored by parents and librarians because “it

includes LGBTQ characters”. (Betsy Gomez Banned Books Week.Org) Some

parents object to books with this type of content. Drama, or any other books,

should not be banned from middle school libraries even though they have mature

content.

Some families might not like their children being exposed to these type of

books because the text is too explicit. Some teachers and parents don’t like the

idea of introducing this material at an early age. In the article published by

the Springfield News-Leader in 2010, Scroggins writes,“Sex education

curriculum in the fourth grade (which) includes topics on reproduction. Is this

what parents and taxpayers in this community want their children exposed to in

school? … In high school English classes, children are required to read and view

material that should be classified as soft pornography.” Some parents believe

that their children should not be exposed to explicit content until certain age.

When their children read these books before the appropriate age, they’re afraid

of them having sex, and possibly getting pregnant. However, it teaches children

about serious topics when they’re young, and it could help them understand the
adulthood they’re going into. Reading a book like this can potentially allow the

reader to learn about certain content.

Middle schoolers might need advice about sexuality if they’re struggling

themselves or want to help a friend. In this case, there has been research that

shows that learning is beneficial to students, “(books) are frequently challenged;

banning them would deprive students of essential cultural and historical

knowledge, as well as differing points of view.” (American Library Association).

Maybe middle schoolers have no adult to talk to, and when they read these

books they will learn about. They could also be wondering about something more

specific, and they don’t know where to get the information.

Children who might be gay can read books like this and not feel alone in

their situation. In this moment in Drama, Callie and Justin, two of the main

characters, are sitting on a hill, eating lunch and talking about a boy named Greg.

Justin says,“‘I’ve known Greg since second grade. He’s always been

thickheaded, even if he is cute.’ … ‘Gay? You can say it! I don’t mind’” (64-65).

This helps children understand that there is nothing to lose. When kids see Justin

talk about how he’s gay, and doesn’t care what people think, it will encourage

young readers be able to express their feelings better or make it easier on them.

They’ll feel more brave and speak up about their sexuality.

If teachers and parents would ban books just because of one scene or

picture, then students would not have opportunity to learn from the book. Kids

shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and parents shouldn’t judge it by the content

of one page.
 Banned Book Essay
Drama by Raina Telgemeier should not be banned because it is relatable. Many

kids go through what Callie, the main character in this story, went through. This book

also shows the right way to deal with these problems.

One reason Drama should not be banned is because Raina Telgemeier tells us that

sometimes you might look up to someone or maybe even have a crush on them. And you

picture this person to be perfect and amazing, to be everything you think they would be,

but then you get to meet them in person and they turn out to be awful. It’s almost like

your expectations were ignored. Some people ignore the fact that they aren't so picture

perfect and go on with life like it’s nothing, and hang out with that person even though

they’re toxic. Callie shows us that we shouldn't do that. That we shouldn’t go near those

people and ignore those expectations, clouding your vision from how bad this person is.

In the beginning of the book, Callie kisses her crush, Greg, and the next day she goes to

find him but can’t. The day after lunch she finds him and tries to talk and he says this. (C-

Callie G-Greg) “C- It’s good to see you again! How are you doing?” *Greg grabs his

hand back* “G- I’m fine.” “C-What's wrong?”…Greg tells Callie that his girlfriend

Bonnie called him crying and they got back together. “G- Sorry, Callie…Maybe you and

I can catch up another time.” “C- Sure. Maybe.” “G-Thanks for understanding, Cal--

You’re the best!” Later at the end of the book Greg says to Callie, “Callie, I messed up.

Big-Time. I’ve been so caught up with missing Bonnie…I didn't realize that the girl I

should really have been with was right before my eyes. So what do you say? Will you

give me another shot?.” “C-Huh?” “I know I’ve been out of the picture for awhile, but I

promise I'll be different this time around.” “C- ARE YOU FOR REAL?!” Greg tries to
kiss her but she denies it and leaves him. Greg wasn't good for her and she learned that

the hard way, but in the end she made the right decision of getting rid of a toxic person.

Second, this book is full of overcoming fears and gaining confidence. One of

Callie's friends is afraid of going out and trying new things. When he met Callie that

changed. She got him into stage crew and she helped him overcome his fear of being on

stage. *Jesse enters room with Maybelles dress on* Callie- “you were amazing.” Jesse-

“Thank you.” Bonnie, who played the female lead Maybelle, locked herself in the

janitor's closet because West, who played the male lead, broke up with her and she

wouldn't go out on stage. Her alternate wasn't picking up and everyone was freaking out.

Than at Maybelle’s scene Jesse went on stage knowing all the songs and at the end of the

play got a roaring applause. The message here is that you should face your fears and get

out of your comfort zone and go try new things!

Some parents don’t want their kids to read this book because some are against the

LGBTQIA+ community, but they have to accept that people are who they are and they

should be accepting of that. Justin-”Like, I like boys? Yeah.” Callie-“Oh.Huh.” J-“Um,

is that cool? Is it ok that I told you?” C-“It’s cool… I guess I was never really sure if any

one I knew was actually...um…” J-“Gay? You can say it! I don’t mind.” This is good for

people to read because of how Justin was proud of the fact he was gay and Callie gave

him a big hug telling him she was ok with it, which is a good way for people to react to

others coming out. You should be accepting and understanding. Treat them the same as

you would be to them if you didn’t know that they were LGBTQIA+ and be supportive

the way Callie was.

 In conclusion, Drama by Raina Telgemeier should not be banned because it is

relatable for a lot of kids and it helps kids as well. Sometimes people don't know how to

act in a situation when they’re older even if they think they do, so they make some bad

decisions. But this book shows you how to react correctly in those situations.