Introducing students to a variety of ideas and viewpoints in school encourages them to think critically, creatively, and humanely. The copious range of subjects taught in school assist in enforcing all of these attributes in students; however one subject in particular highlights the focus on creativity above the rest. In English classes across the country, teachers use books to help demonstrate an idea, a culture, a revelation, or an embodiment of someone's soul. Books assist in lessons in history, teach students about their past, and can even strike a spark of passion that forces them to analyze a subject in a new light. While some texts can cause uproar and protests because parents or the government deem them "inappropriate," other authors mean to cause arguments and debates through their writing. If a literary work does not raise questions and attempt to break from orthodox thinking, what use does it serve in a school? Certain books challenge and inspire students to change the world and although some subjects border the unthinkable, banning them from schools in no way teaches students about sensitive subjects or expands their knowledge of truthful and necessary events in history. Books inspire, encourage, and enrich the lives of students and must remain in school curriculum. .
The U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, states in the first amendment, "Congress shall make no law representing an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances" (Karolides et al.). The first amendment allows the freedom of religion, the freedom of speech, and the freedom of the press. Anyone may write what he feels and reveal the truth. Banning certain books in schools means censorship. Books become prime targets for controversial issues in schools.
