There are certain books that stick with you. Even after the book is finished, it still lingers; it reshapes how we think, view, and understand the world around us. These books are often the ones that are uncomfortable to read, not because they are bad, but because they introduce perspectives and morals that are unfamiliar or unsettling to readers. This discomfort often causes readers to reject the material, leading to an increase in book challenges and book bans across the United States.
Ukiah High English teacher and former librarian, Mr. Douthit, spoke with UHS News about these controversial stories, pointing out that because these books can feel intimidating, it’s important to approach them with the right mindset: “You need to be open-minded and prepared to suspend your disbelief.”
These types of books don’t often offer clear lessons or straightforward answers; they challenge the reader to place themselves in someone else’s shoes. They encourage reflection, not only on the characters, but on the readers’ beliefs and experiences.
These books get readers to truly connect with the characters and understand what they are going through. Douthit emphasizes, “Stories work on our ability to relate to them and to empathize with the characters.”
The UHS News Team spoke with Principal Dr. Alvarez to discuss her views on literature with uncomfortable themes. Alvarez stresses, “The most powerful thing you can ever get from reading is expanding your understanding of the world and of humans.”
Literature depicts the human experience and relies on emotion. Unlike informational texts, readers aren’t just learning facts about other people’s lives, they are feeling the weight of their choices. This connection can feel personal, and it is this emotional engagement that not only makes literature compelling but can also make it uncomfortable and even controversial. Often, books labeled as controversial are challenged because their material is deemed inappropriate for a school setting.
While speaking about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, a book that is a part of the freshman curriculum at UHS, Alveraz recounts, “I was forty when I read it, and it made me cry. There’s no telling how impactful a singular book can be.”
Books labeled as controversial often explore experiences that are misunderstood and underrepresented. Controversial stories are often challenged because they focus on voices people aren’t used to hearing, and by telling these stories, authors bring attention to the struggles of marginalized people that some readers may otherwise be unaware of. These stories show readers the complexity in others’ lives and can aid in building empathy.
Douthit adds, “Controversy is an insight into the lives of people that we don’t really know well, right? And I think books that are controversial challenge us to see other people’s lives we might not understand and to empathize with them.”
Many of the books that spark debate do so because they don’t offer clear solutions or morals. Characters are flawed. Situations are left unresolved. Readers are often asked to come to their own conclusions about character experiences. Instead of being told how to interpret the text, readers are challenged to reevaluate their perspectives on the world, and in the process, often confront ideas that may not align with their existing beliefs.
Douthit explains that books are often rejected because they make people uncomfortable, and this discomfort is the root of many book bans, which goes against the very purpose of literature. He states, “People are so uncomfortable that they reject books when that’s not necessarily a good idea because that’s what books are for – to challenge us.”
This challenge comes from the process of rethinking beliefs, and Dr. Alvarez also expresses that it’s this challenge that makes books so special. Books push readers to think in ways they have not thought before and open their eyes to new possibilities. Books offer a world of knowledge and potential, pushing readers to think critically rather than accept simple answers. She further claims, “I don’t think there’s anything to be lost by reading.”
The ability to empathize with experiences that differ from our own is a crucial skill in life, so learning this prior to entering the broader world greatly benefits and prepares Wildcats.
Leo Torres Rodriguez
Audriena Ramos
Audriena Ramos is a junior at Ukiah High. She is from Alpine, Texa and moved to Ukiah five years ago. This is her first year taking journalism. She is the vice president of the UHS Women's Empowerment club, and outside of school, she enjoys doing ballet with Mendocino Ballet.