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: Freedom to Choose What to 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.
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
Judy Blume. Just a few of Judy Blume’s challenged books include Forever, Are You There God It’s Me Margaret, Blubber, Then Again…Maybe I Won’t
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…
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
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?
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? A: Steven Chbosky -- B: Laurie Halse Anderson -- C: Ellen Hopkins -- D: Walter Dean Myers -- E: All of the above
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?
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? The Cost of Discipleship -- The Book of Common Prayer -- Pilgrim’s Progress -- The Bible
The Bible has been banned many, many times over the centuries.
True or False.
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. In 2000, 646 books were challenged, but most of the challenges did not lead to banning because school officials, teachers and librarians refused to remove the books. The real number is probably much higher. 646 were actually reported.
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: Harriet Beecher Stowe -- C: Mark Twain -- D: Ernest Hemingway
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?" A: Wicked Wedgie Woman -- B: Deputy Doo-Doo -- C: Bionic Booger Boy -- D: Captain Underpants
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 by George Orwell -- B) Animal Farm by George Orwell -- C) Aesop’s Fables by Aesop -- D) Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
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.
What reason is given most often for challenging books used in public schools? a) Book is unsuited to the age group -- b) Sexually explicit -- c) Contains violence -- d) Contains homosexuality -- e) Satanic themes
Reasons Books Challenged as of 2020: Sexual content (92.5% percent of books ), offensive language (61.5), unsuited to age group (49%), religious viewpoint (26%), and LGBTQIA+ content (23.5%). Source: First Amendment Museum
True/ Flase
The diary, discovered in an attic after World War II, by a girl who died in a concentration camp has not been banned because the book is not explicitly violent.
The Diary of Anne Frank 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. A: The Cat in the Hat -- B: The Lorax -- C: Green Eggs and Ham -- D: All the Places You’ll Go
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? 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
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.
Where do most book challenges occur? A: -- School libraries -- B: Public libraries -- C: Academic libraries -- D: School classes
Most challenges occur in public libraries, followed closely by school libraries and schools. As of 2022: Public libraries – 48%, School libraries 41%, Schools 10%. Source: American Library Association
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?
Harper Lee. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. She never wrote another novel.
Which Shakespeare play was banned by some schools because it contains a girl dressing as a boy (Viola) and a (reputedly) gay character? A) Twelfth Night -- B) Hamlet -- C) Macbeth -- D) King Lear
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? A: Frahrenheit 451 -- B: Brave New World -- C: 1984 -- D: The Giver
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.