Bad Books?

 Are there "bad books". Yes, of course. But determining the word "bad" is key. I think that a bad book, is one that is poorly written by a writing person who has misguided intent. What is your "bad book"? I am, as a former librarian who studied much on the matter of libraries and their purposes in schools, opposed to censorship in general.  "Censorship" is another word that needs a good deal of examination. It means different things in different situations. And this in certain parts of the planet varies according to its cultural mores. This morning I heard a broadcast, however, that made me realize how misdirected some individuals are about books and what they can "do" to readers, particularly children. Children are  those between the ages of one and nineteen legally, give or take. The man who spoke on behalf of a group of parents are part of a pressure faction that want certain books out of school libraries. He named a few, and they are widely read by children and adults and are considered classics in the English language. The interviewer wisely stated that the man's viewpoint as a parent was completely valid since he has the right as a parent, but that his opinions are not ones that can be imposed upon all parents. Unfortunately, the talk went on, and on. what the government of that province from whence the conversation originated, did not specify which books on what exactly topics should be removed from school libraries. What it did state, broadly, was that educators and parents should be "mindful" about books on their school shelves. For this fellow, anything remotely having sexaul connotation should go. He felt it encouraged and caused sexual abuse problems. Once again the word "sexual" is a term that needs consideration. Having experienced situations in school libraries as I have, I recall a certain pupil's mother who demanded that I get rid of a library book with Foxy Loxy in it because he threatened to eat Henny Penny. The story time book, had terrified her little daughter who suffered a nightmare after having it read to her along with twenty-five other children who didn't have nightmares about Foxy Loxy and Henny Penny. I will leave this topic now, for you to ponder on and perhaps discuss with your friends, family and maybe even librarians who are always mindful about books.