Beloved

Title: Beloved

Author: Toni Morrison

Summary: A runaway slave, Sethe, tries to make a new life for herself, but she is haunted by her past. Though she has lived in "freedom" for 18 years, she is tormented not only by what happened to her as a slave, but also by memories of her infant daughter whom she killed. When her former owner appeared at her door step 18 years ago, she snapped and, blinded by hysteria, attempted to kill all four of her children, so that they would not have to endure what she did. Now, 18 years later, a 20-year-old woman appears at her home and exhibits characteristics that are eerily similar to those of the murdered baby.

Why it's been challenged: The book has been challenged for its violence, language, racism, and sexual content (including bestiality and rape). This is a very emotionally difficult book to read, yet it is very eye-opening in regards to how slaves were treated. (ALA)

If I were still teaching, would I allow my class of high schoolers to read this book? No. While I think it is important that students understand the horrific history of slavery in our country, I would not pick this book. The sexual content, though not exorbitantly gratuitous, is very prominent in the book. There is also quite a bit of language (including the "f word' [used literally]).

Though this book was a tough read, there were some very poignant quotes that I absolutely loved and wanted to share:

"Grown don't mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? What's that supposed to mean? In my heart it don't mean a thing." (54)

"Saying more might push them both to a place they couldn't get back from. He would keep the rest where it belonged: in that tobacco tin buried in his chest where a red heart used to be. Its lid rusted shut. He would not pry it loose now in front of this sweet sturdy woman, for if she got a whiff of the contents it would shame him. And it would hurt her to know that there was no red heart ... beating in him." (86)

"And though she and others lived through and got over it, she could never let it happen to her own. The best thing she was, was her children. Whites might dirty her all right, but not her best thing, her beautiful, magical best thing--the part of her that was clean." (295, 296)

Lord of the Flies

Title: Lord of the Flies

Author: William Golding

Summary: A group of adolescent boys between the ages of 6 and 12 are marooned on a deserted island. There are no adults, so they must rely on themselves to survive and to seek a means of rescue. At first, all is fun and games, and the children enjoy the society they have created and the ability to live as they wish. However, as hopes of rescue begin to diminish, things begin to unravel. The boys turn against each other, causing a terrifyingly violent chaos that ultimately shows the depravity of man (even as children) when left to his own devices.

Why it's been challenged: The book has been challenged for its extreme violence and gore (at first in the hunting of animals and then in the children's treatment of each other). Others challenge the book on issues of racism, profanity, and sex. I personally did not feel these themes were abused in the book. One school challenged the book because it is "demoralizing inasmuch as it implies that man is little more than an animal". Ummmm...well, theologically, I do believe that man, in his natural state, is a despicable creature, so I have no issues with that aspect of the book. (ALA)

If I were still teaching, would I allow my class of high schoolers to read this book? Hmmm...yes, I think I would. I would probably write a disclosure letter to the parents and ask for permission first. Some of the passages are really quite disturbing due to their violence (but most teens probably see this quite often in the movies they watch). However, I would probably opt to teach Richard Connell's short story "The Most Dangerous Game". It is much more tame but still deals with a similar topic and the idea that man is an evil creature.