Intellectual Freedom/Censorship
Banned Book Week is promoted nationally to emphasize people’s right to: A: Go to the library -- B. Freedom to chose what they read -- C. Know which books have been challenged or banned so they will know not to read them.-- D. None of the above
B. What is Freedom to Choose What they Read?Banned Books Week was created by the American Library Association in 1982 to emphasize the importance of literary freedom and to oppose literary censorship.
According to the American Library Association, which of these authors had more books on the 2017 list of most frequently challenged YA books? A. Angie Thomas -- B. John Green -- C. David Levithan -- D. Stephanie Meyer
Who is John Green? John's books that made the list include: Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, The Fault in our Stars, Paper Towns. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/YAbooks
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. 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.
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? 1) It is a picture book -- 2) The story involves only penguins -- 3) The plot is that two male penguins take care of an egg until it hatches 4) All 3 above are correct
What is 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 pre-schoolers to age 3.
In the U.S. what does the First Amendment protect?
What is Freedom of Speech/Freedom of the Press?The First Amendment states that “congress shall make no law respecting an establishing of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…” This means that the government can’t tell people what religion to follow, or what to think, or what to read.
Which of these Young Adult authors has had a banned or challenged book over the last 10 years? Steven Chbosky -- Laurie Halse Anderson -- Ellen Hopkins -- John Green -- All of the above
What is 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.
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’s the title?
What is James and The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl?
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?
What is the Bible? It has been banned many, many times over the centuries.
Each year, challenges are made to certain books when a person or group objects to their content. Most challenges, however, do not lead to banning. True or False
What is True? In 2017, 416 books were challenged, but most of the challenges did not lead to banning because school officials, teachers and librarians refused to remove the books. (Stats from ALA website, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/NLW-Top10)
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 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 (Jim) and use of language that is inappropriate today but was acceptable when the books were published.
Who is the hero of the series by Dav Pilkey, which has been challenged for its “anti-family content?" Wimpy Kid -- Deputy Doo-Doo -- Bionic Booger Boy -- Captain Underpants
Who is 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.
In this satire of the Communist Revolution in Russia, animals can talk. A)1984 B) Animal Farm C) Aesop’s Fables D) Charlotte’s Web
What is Animal Farm by George Orwell? It was banned in the USSR until the 1980s for being anti-Communist but also banned in the USA for the Communist text in its introduction.
According to the American Library Association, most book challenges occur here.
School Libraries, Public Libraries or Academic (College or University) Libraries?
What is Public Libraries? According to ALA, 56% of challenges occur in public libraries. School libraries account for 25%, and Academic libraries account for 2%,
The author of 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 (Anne discusses her thoughts on intimate subjects), and for Anne’s views on religious tolerance.
Even books by Dr. Seuss have been challenged. This Dr. Seuss book was challenged because it offended forestry workers. The Cat in the Hat -- The Lorax -- Green Eggs and Ham -- All the Places You’ll Go
What is The Lorax. It is a story that teaches children about the impact humans can have on the environment. In the story Onceler cuts down too many trees and pollutes the environment. People in the logging industry felt threatened by the book.
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?
What is 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 1960s and 1970s, but is still challenged today.
Which of the following is a reason why books are challenged?
Too many grammatical errors
Parents are jealous that YA books are better than theirs
Profanity
What is profanity? Other common reasons include sexually explicit, LGBT themes, violence, religious viewpoint, and racism.
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?
Who is Harper Lee. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.
This Shakespeare play was banned by some schools because it contains a girl dressing as a boy (Viola) and a (reputedly) gay character. Was it A) Twelfth Night -- B) Hamlet -- C) Macbeth -- D) King Lear
What is Twelfth Night? All plays have been challenged though. Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear have been challenged because of the use of sexual innuendo and use of death and violence.
Which famous novel by Ray Bradbury about censorship has been both banned and challenged numerous times?
What is 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. It was often challenged during the 1950s due to McCarthyism and the feeling that this advocacy of opposition was a bad thing. It has since experienced a resurgence of challenges.