Rough Draft #1

Jacob Sutton 808

Should ELA Teachers ban “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’engle From Middle School Libraries?

Draft #1

            For decades, organizations, parents and teachers have been challenging and banning certain books from middle school libraries because of its content, theme(s), religion etc…  These proposals and decisions have directly affected me and my classmates.  Yes some books do have mature themes in them but for the most part, kids our age should be able to handle this and make their own decisions on the books they want to read.  It is very disheartening to us to see books that we love to read in our own free time leave the library forever.  In my ELA class, we have just finished reading our inquiry books; books that have been challenged or banned from middle school libraries.  The book that I read in that time was A Wrinkle in Time  by Madeline L’engle.  I believe that this book should not be banned from middle school libraries because children love to read this book, it does not have any inappropriate content in it, and it is a big classic that has been on middle school shelves for many years.

            Many books that organizations are proposing to ban and have banned have no inappropriate content, or mature themes in them.  A Wrinkle in Time is one of those books.  This book is an inspiring, powerful and heart-wrenching story of a girl having the courage to stand up to a higher position of people that are being unfair to others.  In goodreads.com it talks about a wrinkle in time.  A quote from this book says “What is going to happen?"
"Wee wwill cconnttinnue tto ffightt!"…
"And we’re not alone, you know, children," came Mrs.Whatsit, the comforter. "…some of the best fighters have come from your own planet…"
"Who have our fighters been?" Calvin asked.
"Oh, you must know them, dear," Mrs.Whatsit said. Mrs.Who’s spectacles shone out at them triumphantly.
"And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”  This is a story that leaves readers thinking.  It also inspirers kids to work out their problems independently and confidently.  As you can see, this book was really meant for the level of students that a middle school has.

            A Wrinkle in Time is a classic that has been on middle school shelves for many years.  Since 1963, A Wrinkle in Time has been a book that has been in most libraries in America, even if it isn’t just for middle school.  People love to read this book and to take it away would be a crime.  Listverse.com says that “This classic has been readily available on most library shelves”.

            Some people may argue that Megg’s not having parents could interfere with a students’ emotional life. In mackidsbooks.com it says “many criticized her for having a strong female protagonist in a science fiction novel. A Wrinkle in Time was published in the 1960’s when many still challenged the idea of women being independent and self-sufficient”.  Obviously that is not the case now.  Students now-a-days don’t really care about what gender their character is.  If it’s a boy, that’s fine, if it’s a girl that’s fine as well. 

            A Wrinkle in Time is a thought provoking piece of literature that middle school students love to read.  Its powerful, heart-wrenching and tells an inspiring tale of how much a little girl could do, if she really tried.  It has to do with growing up which I believe is crucial in adolescence and middle school years.