Argument Essay

Argument Essay

Numerous amounts of adolescences’ create mistakes that they can’t take back. An example of some one who has done this is Hanna Baker from “13 Reasons Why”, by Jay Asher. Hanna took her own life due to he bullying and sexual harassment of her fellow “peers”. This adds to the list of reasons why this book has been challenged by many parents. It is in my position that this book should stay in middle school libraries because it helps give awareness about teen bullying.

One reason this book should stay in middle school libraries/classrooms is because it gives awareness about teen bullying. Many parents want this touching novel out of middle school shelves for its “unruly” content. Yes, it has some sexual scenes that may not be suitable for kids under middle school. But it gives knowledge on teen bullying and suicide. The Banned Book Awareness article states, “Majority of students are the ones who look away.” Not many teens in schools see the bullying happen or they choose to look away. But, in doing so, the victim can turn to do what Hanna and many others like her/him did. It continues, “They are the ones who laugh at another’s expense because it is not “me or them”. Teens think it is all fun and games until a person dies.

Another reason this text should stay in middle school libraries is because it is up to the reader to decide what they can and can not read, not the parents. I understand that parents want to protect their kids from this type of content. But, if they keep making decisions for us, how will we ever learn how to do it alone? Also, we have to start being introduced to the real world we can’ live the rest of our lives under a rock just because you want to keep us safe from this knowledge. In a response to darkness is too visible by (name here) comments, “As teens, we should be able to decide what we can and can’t handle” She is correct. We are the ones who are reading the book, not the parents. They don’t know how our own mind works.

Finally, this text should stay in middle schools because many teens love this heart-warming novel. This story is criticized because of content and much more, but adults don’t see the true meaning of this book. About Clay Jensen who seeks to find out the truth on what happened to his high school crush. He follows all of Hanna’s 13 reasons to find out who caused her death. “If you are listening to theses tape, then you are one of the reasons my life ended.” Is a quote from this text that shatters Clay’s heart. Adults simply don’t see beyond the explicit content.