Banned Book Week runs from September 21- 27. It is a yearly event that highlights both the dangers of censorship and the wonderful freedom we have to read what we want thanks to the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Bring your classes in to see our “Missing” display of challenged and banned books, and celebrate the freedom to read. We can book talk popular challenged titles,discuss reasons for challenge and common reasons books have been challenged. We can discuss what students and teachers can do to combat censorship.
The following is from the American Library Association’s 2014 Banned Book Week information:
Each day, all across the country, one of our most basic freedoms—the right to read—is in danger. In communities large and small, censorship attempts threaten to undermine our freedom to read. Without our constant support, the First Amendment freedoms that are so often take for granted—the right to read, explore ideas, and express ourselves freely—are at risk.
The rights and protections of the First Amendment extend to children and teens as well as adults. While parents have the right—and the responsibility—to guide their own children’s reading, that right does not extend to other people’s children. Similarly each adult has the right to choose his or her own reading materials, along with the responsibility to acknowledge and respect the right of others to do the same.
When we speak up to protect the right to read, we not only defend our individual right to free expression, we demonstrate tolerance and respect for opposing points of view. And when we take action to preserve our precious freedoms, we become participants in the ongoing evolution of our democratic society.
Some classroom journal and discussion prompts are listed below. Students can complete the sentence stems, answer the questions, or respond to the quotes about censorship. If you have great activities, please share with us.
· The worst thing about censorship is…
· Who should be able to decide what students read? In class? On their own time?
· “Yes, books are dangerous. They should be dangerous – they contain ideas.” Pete Hautman, YA author. Do you agree or disagree that books are dangerous? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
· “The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.” Oscar Wilde, author. What truth is there in Wilde’s quote? Can you think of some examples where this is true based on challenges to the following popular children’s books? Harry Potter (the series), The Giver, Captain Underpants (series), Goosebumps (series), Where the Sidewalk Ends, In the Night Kitchen (Sendak), Blubber, Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? (Judy Blume), Bridge to Terabithia and The Great Gilly Hopkins (Katherine Paterson), and A Wrinkle in Time (Madeline l’Engle).
Here are some additional links to resources about Banned Books Week and the First Amendment.
If you’d like to bring your classes in, let us know.
ALA Banned Books pages
Freedom to Read Foundation
First Amendment Center
Bring your classes in to see our “Missing” display of challenged and banned books, and celebrate the freedom to read. We can book talk popular challenged titles,discuss reasons for challenge and common reasons books have been challenged. We can discuss what students and teachers can do to combat censorship.
The following is from the American Library Association’s 2014 Banned Book Week information:
Each day, all across the country, one of our most basic freedoms—the right to read—is in danger. In communities large and small, censorship attempts threaten to undermine our freedom to read. Without our constant support, the First Amendment freedoms that are so often take for granted—the right to read, explore ideas, and express ourselves freely—are at risk.
The rights and protections of the First Amendment extend to children and teens as well as adults. While parents have the right—and the responsibility—to guide their own children’s reading, that right does not extend to other people’s children. Similarly each adult has the right to choose his or her own reading materials, along with the responsibility to acknowledge and respect the right of others to do the same.
When we speak up to protect the right to read, we not only defend our individual right to free expression, we demonstrate tolerance and respect for opposing points of view. And when we take action to preserve our precious freedoms, we become participants in the ongoing evolution of our democratic society.
Some classroom journal and discussion prompts are listed below. Students can complete the sentence stems, answer the questions, or respond to the quotes about censorship. If you have great activities, please share with us.
· The worst thing about censorship is…
· Who should be able to decide what students read? In class? On their own time?
· “Yes, books are dangerous. They should be dangerous – they contain ideas.” Pete Hautman, YA author. Do you agree or disagree that books are dangerous? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
· “The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame.” Oscar Wilde, author. What truth is there in Wilde’s quote? Can you think of some examples where this is true based on challenges to the following popular children’s books? Harry Potter (the series), The Giver, Captain Underpants (series), Goosebumps (series), Where the Sidewalk Ends, In the Night Kitchen (Sendak), Blubber, Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? (Judy Blume), Bridge to Terabithia and The Great Gilly Hopkins (Katherine Paterson), and A Wrinkle in Time (Madeline l’Engle).
Here are some additional links to resources about Banned Books Week and the First Amendment.
If you’d like to bring your classes in, let us know.
ALA Banned Books pages
Freedom to Read Foundation
First Amendment Center