Only way to find out is to read the book.
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So I’ll be honest and say that in that case, I can’t imagine you wanting to make a definitive statement such as the one you made above that “Beloved” should “absolutely be banned.” You might have a different perspective if you read the book. It’s a literary masterpiece, absolutely deserving of its Pulitzer Prize. Yes, it involves rape and the killing of a child. As happened sometimes during post-war Reconstruction in America. As still happens today! The novel was conceived based on a newspaper account of real events during that time period. I have a hard time thinking that AP Lit students who are about to head off to college need to be shielded from literature based on such themes, especially when they are managed/responsibly taught by the best teachers at their schools (which AP Lit teachers tend to be).
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You can always read it and find out. 
And read the OT - Joshua, Judges, Kings, etc. There’s a lot disturbing in those books, rape, incest, adultery, killing kids, killing whole cities, killing kids + families because of what their fathers did, etc. I’ve been reading through it again this year and I’m reminded of why I don’t like large parts of it. If my faith had to rely solely on the OT, I’d probably ditch it.
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It is truly such an incredible novel, it makes me so sad that people don’t know it. I am pretty sure it is one of the books my daughter will read next year in AP Lit, but if it isn’t I’m pledging to myself right now that the two of us are going to read it together. It’s been a few years. Such a masterpiece.
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So it’s either the best ever written or the worst. People in school districts should make the final decision on what’s best for them. I’m. OK with that.
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I have read it. I even defended Beloved iin a prior post as an actual example of literature, unlike most of the other books on the list proposed in the OP. There are lots and lots of profound “real world” topics that we could dwell upon and discuss in schools, like abortion for example, but choose not to do so. It is legal, common place, and with very old origins, and I do not object to books on the subject, but I can understand that many people feel differently and perhaps discussing it in k12 school may not be the best for all concerned. So please spare me the “real world” argument.
The “real world” also contains acts of abuse, poverty, and horror that occur daily. Not everyone needs to confront that in school as well. I know plenty of well educated adults who read the news daily, keep up with all foreign and domestic developments, but choose other genres for their fiction reading
Funny, teachers often complain about a lack of parental involvement until parents actually do take a role. My family was fortunate to find top private schools where parent participation was both respected and appreciated.
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Reading is very difficult for me, so I won’t be reading Beloved. I’ll take everyone’s word that it is a masterpiece.
The thought here seems to be that the plot represents actual history, and kids need to learn from this without being sheltered, etc. Years ago, one of my kids read a violent book for school (I forget the title). He was very disturbed by it, and even looking back, I don’t think it did him any good. It was completely unnecessary. If I had a do-over, I would have opted out. But then he becomes the oddball, which brings its own challenges that drive the desire to just have the darn thing banned.
I was fortunate to be raised without religion, so I don’t even understand a lot of these references to the Bible, Old Testament, and Torah.
Maybe books can help a child learn about the real world. Experience is even better. Like going to school in the ghetto. Poverty, pregnancy, prostitution, fights, etc. Seeing someone struggle can evoke a powerful empathic response. A stronger response than I’ve ever seen anyone have to a book.
Is there a difference between that statement and “You shouldn’t be able to decide what other children must read in a public school”?
No one is suggesting there is a list of what children must read. No one. The debate is about whether certain books should be banned from public school libraries or curricula.
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How could you possibly arrive at that conclusion if you dont know the book?
Audiobooks are an amazing alternative for folks who cope with reading difficulties.
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With so many different school systems having book challenges, one can’t ignore the “concerned parents” that seem to be bringing the challenges. They go by different names, but are pretty much all the same group. I doubt their children, if they are even in K-12, have seen or read some of the books they request to be removed. They don’t seem to have read or even vet the book list they present. They definitely have an agenda.
The school library has all kinds of books, from books on different religions to football. Children have to seek out books to find them. To think there is not at least one child who is LBGTQ+ or faced racism, or has been a victim of abuse in a public school would be a mistake. I often found if I asked a question about why something was the way it was at school, I got a very reasonable answer. I was sadden to hear how many kids were homeless or in foster care at our school (I was never given specific names).
Again- the public schools have to serve every child who enters their doors. A big part of that job is to support their mental an social health. Support and inclusion does not equal indoctrination.
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And kids going to the library can choose whatever they want to read too - no one is forcing anyone to check out a certain book or even book type. Our library was stocked with plenty of choices from classics (one of mine checked out the unabridged War and Peace) to graphic novels to some on that “naughty” list. Kids could read, or not, whatever appealed to them.
Yes, because as I said, parents can always opt to pull kids from reading a book. I did that when Spud was on my son’s summer reading list. I explained my reasoning above. It’s written at a 6-8th grade level and it was on the summer reading list for a 10th grade Honors English class - the highest level our school has for that grade. I never asked for the book to be banned - I specifically said I didn’t want it banned - but that it was a bad choice “level-wise” for kids wanting to go on to college. My son wasn’t ostracized because of what I did.
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And I assume you are similarly supportive of parents who pulled their kids from reading Beloved in 11th grade English class here? Yes, it was required
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I am supportive of that- they just removed their own kid. I am also supportive of parents who want to opt out of sex education. I would rather have a real class on sex ed and have parents given the choice to opt out. Abstinence only programs aren’t that successful. I had a class in the 7th grade (elective) called Girls, Guys and all that stuff- it covered a lot of things not covered in sex ed. It was a choice and my parents had to sign off on it. I doubt that class would even be offered today.
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I’d have no problem with it. Beloved was required here too for my ps boy. I don’t recall anyone pulling their kid, but if they did, it’s not like it would make school announcements.
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Two of my three had to read Things Fall Apart in their DE CC class. I’m really surprised that one hasn’t been mentioned on various banned book lists TBH. I haven’t read that one personally, but they gave me a quick summary.
My D is home packing up some of her things. She still has the book on her shelf. When I pointed it out yesterday she immediately said, “Ugh, I hated that book!” 
ETA- I commented on the wrong book- so I deleted my comment- i was talking about Never Let Me Go.
She was IB- it was a part of her curriculum. My AP kid did not have to read it.
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My D’s middle school also operated with permission slips for books that might have “troubling” content. As a parent of a voracious reader, way way above grade level, I read almost everything first. I never told her ‘no’ to any book she picked out, and just made sure to check in with her so we could digest content together.
Other families make different decisions, but educators should be making up the course curriculum, not parents. If parents want that much control, they should home school.
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Speaking of Things Fall Apart we read it for the CC Book Club Things Fall Apart June CC Book Club Selection It was a difficult book to read as the protagonist makes so many bad choices, but we talked in our discussion about what a great book it would be for high school students as there are so many things to discuss about it. I would not have hesitated to have my children read it. The author received a Nobel Prize for literature.
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I have a real issue with people saying if you don’t agree, home school or take your kids out and send them to private school. These parents are also paying taxes. They have a voice and a right to that voice concerning the school. You don’t get to decide that they must leave if they disagree with you or anything that takes place.
Again, problematic that civil discussion cannot take place and parents and the community can have a voice in what takes place with their tax dollars. In our town which has a town meeting anyone saying if you disagree remove yourself would likely be met with boos. I’ve seen it in person. People get to have a say and they are not going to agree. At town meetings and school committee meetings you see that democracy is messy. And you also see that everyone gets to have a voice.
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I was very involved in my local community’s school board meetings when my D was young. The reason we elect a school board is for them to hire a curriculum director and the administrators, who then in turn hire the educators.
Yes, parents can have a say at board meetings, but they shouldn’t be cherry picking the books on the curriculum.
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