Let’s Chat: A banned book is worth reading

By Linda Tooth on August 13, 2025.

Book No. 4, Blankets by Craig Thompson, is the last in the list of books I vowed to read as it pertains to our government’s ridiculous notion that book banning in schools is acceptable in 2025.

Here is my review of this 582-page graphic novel. First, it contains the most powerful images and text I have ever seen. Jules Feiffer, a Pulitzer Prize recipient for editorial cartooning, states Thompson is a “young comics master.”

If you know of anyone who is talented in drawing cartoons, this book is a great reference for them to review.

Second, Thompson, like the other authors (Bechdel, Curato, and Kobabe) share with us what it was like growing up in various parts of the United States.

For Thompson, he grew up in rural Wisconsin in the 1990s, He is the oldest child of devout religious parents. Throughout his story, the use of religious passages appears in this story to solidify his struggles with faith, love and family responsibilities.

Thompson, as well as the others I have read for this assignment, faced intense bullying not only in school but also at church summer camps.

We know bullying is a real issue with our young people in schools across this country. Not only are young people bullying each other but they are taking it into the classroom.

According to an April 17, 2024, article in the St. Albert Gazette, Culture wars feed Alberta’s rising classroom aggression; report, Alberta teachers and leaders report “hostile aggressions took place regarding “sexual orientation and gender identity and race.”

It is sad really that this type of behaviour is the norm and the topic of conversation throughout all of the books I have read.

Third, this story deals with first love. Do you remember your first love? I do, and I would rather forget it as I just saw him recently and he called me by the wrong name.

Anyway, Thompson met a young woman at his church summer camp and tried to balance his love for her and what he believed love should be. He struggled with his emotions throughout his story. I am sure this sounds remarkably familiar to people.

You may wonder, ‘Why Blankets for a title?’ I wondered the same thing and it became evident toward the end of the story. When shared with family members or first loves, blankets offer warmth and comfort.

Through reading these autobiographical stories I have become aware of a new genre, tragicomic. I have also learned so much regarding the struggles young people have faced and continue to face today. For that I am grateful.

Personally, this book banning idea is very political and not in the best interests of our young people.

Have a Meowtastic Day and keep reading!

Linda Tooth is a part-time communications instructor at Medicine Hat College

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