Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books

by Kirsten Miller

Without the Lord of the Flies, kids wouldn’t be getting kidnapped or groomed or given double mastectomies.”

I wasn’t interested in following rules that make life harder for girls so it can be easier for boys.

“The Nazis were monsters to kill little girls.” “I know that’s what people say,” Mr. Stempel told her. “But most of them weren’t. They were just ordinary people. That’s what makes them so terrifying. Monsters you can fight. But when the people who come for you in the night are your neighbors and coworkers and classmates . . . When you never know who’s sick and who’s not . . .” He shrugged. “Sick?” “Hate is a disease, Dawn.”

When you have everything, the only luxury left is taking things away from others.

Melody Sykes was a lot smarter than she chose to look. She just ran in circles that didn’t always see intelligence as a desirable feminine trait.

Gather as much knowledge as you can, because information is power. And choosing how to use it is freedom. The more you know, the freer you will be.”

They had to do whatever it took to keep future generations from living lives more fulfilling than their own.

I think we are good enough to see where our ancestors went wrong. And we’re strong enough to take responsibility for our forefathers’ mistakes and make damn sure we never repeat them.”