Intellectual Freedom/Censorship
Challenged Authors
Banned Because...
Challenged Titles
From Your Childhood
100
Banned Books Week is promoted nationally to emphasize people's right to: A-go to the library B-the freedom to choose what they read C-know which books have been challenged or banned so they will not read them D-none of the above
What is B. The freedom to choose what to read. Banned Books Week was created by the American Library Association to emphasize the importance of literary freedom and to oppose literary censorship.
100
Of these authors, who has the most books on the list of most frequently challenged books? A- Marc Brown B- Judy Blume C- Dr. Seuss D- Mary Pope Osborne
What is B - Judy Blume.
100
This book has been banned for a number of reasons, but mostly because of its focus on magic. It was a best seller upon its release in 1997 and was one of the most challenged books of 1999. It in the main character fights evil, plays an unusual sport, and wears round glasses…
What is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. It has been challenged because of its supposed promotion of witchcraft and wizardry and the depiction of violence and brutality.
100
In 2010 the book, And Tango Makes Three, received more requests for removal than any other book. Which of the following is TRUE about the book? A- It is a picture book B- The story involves only penguins C- The plot is that two male penguins take care of an egg until it hatches D- All of the above
What is D- all are correct. This TRUE story of two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo has topped the list of most challenged books more than once! the book is recommended for preschoolers to age 3.
100
This story features a farm, a talking pig and spider, and is a popular children's book.
What is Charlotte's Web
200
In the U.S. what does the First Amendment protect?
What is the Freedom of Speech. The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..." This means that the government cannot and should not tell people what religion to follow, or what to think, or what to read.
200
Which of these Young Adult authors has had a banned or challenged book over the last 10 years? A- Steven Chbosky B- Laurie Halse Anderson C- Ellen Hopkins D-Walter Dean Myers E- All of the above
What is E-all of the above. All of these authors and many other young adult authors have had their books challenged and/or banned in school libraries, public libraries, and classrooms.
200
This children’s book was challenged because it contains a few swear words. In it the parents of the main character are killed and he is sent to live with his two evil aunts. A gigantic fruit grows in their yard and crushes his aunts. He meets life size insects and they go on adventures together. What is the title?
What is James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.
200
This book is often quoted as being the number one bestseller. It has been translated into many languages and read by people all over the world. What is the name of the book? A-The Cost of Discipleship B- The Book of Common Prayer C- Pilgrim’s Progress D-The Bible
What is D-the Bible. the Bible has been banned many, many times over the centuries.
200
This lovable bear, a little pig, and their friends have been banned in many schools and libraries throughout the country.
What is Winnie-the-Pooh
300
Every year, challenges are made to certain books when a person or group objects to their content. However, most challenges do not lead to banning. True or False.
What is True. In 2000, over 600 books were challenged, but most of these did not lead to banning because school officials, teachers, and librarians refused to remove the books. The real number is probably much higher, but not everything gets reported.
300
This famous American author wrote two related books about the adventures of two young boys. Despite being classics, both books have been banned in some schools. At first they were banned for being too "racially tolerant." Today they are considered "too racist." Who is the author? A- John Steinbeck B- Harriest Beecher Stowe C- Mark Twain D- Ernest Hemingway
What is C-Mark Twain. The books are The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. They have been banned because they are said to contain racial stereotypes and the use of language that is inappropriate today but was acceptable when the books were published.
300
Who is the hero of the series by Dav Pilkey, which has been challenged for its “anti-family content?" A-Wicked Wedgie Woman B-Deputy Doo-Doo C-Bionic Booger Boy D-Captain Underpants
What is C-Captain Underpants. Pilkey, who was diagnosed with learning disabilities as a child, designed the books to draw the attention of kids who may not like to read.
300
In this satire of the Communist Revolution in Russia, animals can talk. A-1984 by George Orwell B-Animal Farm by George Orwell C-Aesop’s Fables by Aesop D-Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
What is B-Animal Farm by George Orwell. It was banned in the USSR until the 1980's for being anti-Communist but also banned in the USA for the Communist text in its introduction.
300
Written by Shel Silverstein, this story features a very generous tree. It was challenged (and actually banned in 1988) because it criminalized the foresting agency.
What is The Giving Tree.
400
What reason is given most often for challenging books used in public schools? A-the book is unsuited to the age group B-sexually explicit C-contains violence D-contains homosexuality E-contains satanic themes
What is B. From 1999-2000: Sexually Explicit = 1,446 books Unsuited to Age Group = 1,167 Occult/Satanism = 773 Violence = 630 Homosexuality = 47 Source: American Library Association
400
The author if this diary, discovered in an attic after World War II, died in a concentration camp.
What is The Diary of Anne Frank. This book has been banned for being too depressing, for sexual references, and for Anne's views on religious tolerance.
400
Even books by Dr. Seuss have been challenged. This Dr. Seuss book was challenged because it offended forestry workers. A-The Cat in the Hat B-The Lorax C-Green Eggs and Ham D-Oh, the Places You’ll Go
What is B-The Lorax. It is a story that teaches children about the impact humans can have on the environment. In the story Once-ler cuts down too many trees and pollutes the environment. People in the logging industry felt threatened by the book.
400
The main character of this often challenged classic book is a teenager. He mourns the loss of his younger brother, hangs out with his younger sister, and in the end ends up in an institution. What is the name of the book? A- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger B- The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain C- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain D- None of the above
What is A-Catcher in the Rye. It is often challenged because of the excessive use of swear words in the book and the feeling that it is not appropriate for teens. It was the most frequently banned book in schools in the 1960's and 1970's, but is still challenged today.
400
This fantasy story involving a lion, scarecrow, tinman, and a witch, was banned in 1928 from every public library in Chicago because of its influence for depicting women in strong leadership roles.
What is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
500
Where do most book challenges occur? A- school libraries B- public libraries C- academic libraries D- school classes
What is D. Most challenges occur in school classes, followed closely by school libraries and then by public libraries. From 1990-2010: school classes = 4,048 school libraries = 3659 public libraries = 2679 Source: American Library Association
500
The classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird has been challenged many times due to profanity and racial slurs, however it is often taught in schools. Who is the author?
What is Harper Lee. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 but has never written another novel.
500
Which Shakespeare play was banned by some schools? A- Twelfth Night B- Hamlet C- Macbeth D- King Lear E- All of the above
What is E-all of the above. All of Shaespeare's play have been challenged because of sexual content, and the use of death and violence.
500
Which famous novel by Ray Bradbury about censorship has been both banned and challenged numerous times? A-Fahrenheit 451 B-Brave New World C- 1984 D-The Giver
What is A-Fahrenheit 451. Can you say irony? This book about book burning and censorship has been challenged and banned for unsuitable language and “questionable themes.” One of the main themes is that any government that tries to oppress freedom of thought should be opposed.
500
This book was recently made into a movie. It was banned in 1994 for depictions of death, specifically euthanasia.
What is The Giver.
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