Most memorable banned book by Mariah

While it is not my favorite banned book, one of the top 100 banned books really jumped out at me as one of the most memorable: Bridge to Terabithia.  There are many reasons why Bridge to Terabithia is challenged, but one of them is that death is central to the plot.   I read Bridge to Terabithia when I was around 9 or 10 and I remember being horrified.  I remember liking it, liking it, and then – BAM! Death!  I was shocked – books were supposed to be happy!  But after I finished, I read it again.  Over the years, I read that book many more times, even though it always upset me.  Now that I’m older, I recognize the allure: kids need the option to read books that are scary, or sad.  Life can be scary.  Life can be sad.  But in a book, that scary or sad (or both) is contained.  It’s a safe space to explore those feelings, without actually having to experience a traumatic event.  And when a traumatic event does come along, that story is still there to provide comfort, to assure you that you are not alone.