Banning In Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner

In 2014, Khaled Hosseini’s novel, The Kite Runner, was the seventh most challenged book in the world. It has been criticized for its mature ideas, controversial beliefs, and inappropriate scenes. Although there have been attempts to ban The Kite Runner, it should not be removed from your school because the benefits of reading it far outweigh the negative consequences.
The Kite Runner explains the importance of being virtuous, and of acting ethically. Baba, Amir’s father, tells his son, “Now, no matter what the mullah teaches, there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft…. When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife’s right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. Do you see?” (Hosseini 17-18). Amir lives by these words through his life, and remembers them as he attempts to redeem his past mistakes. The novel impresses upon the reader the importance of understanding concepts like these, and the disastrous situations which can result from ignoring them. Upon finishing the novel,
Readers can relate and empathize with story, and it leaves them with a sense of greater understanding and wisdom. Most people would agree it should not be read to elementary school students, but young adults are capable of reading it with respect and maturity. The few scenes which cause controversy are small and insignificant in relation to the scenes with good teachings. The Kite Runner should not be banned because the positive effects of reading it are far greater than the negative ones. Novels like The Kite Runner force readers to gain a greater understanding of the world, and consequently make readers better, more informed people. The Kite Runner deserves a place on your shelves, and should not be