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Banned Books“If (the) book be false in its facts, disprove them; if false in its reasoning, refute it. But for God’s sake let us freely hear both sides if we choose.” Thomas Jefferson

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What does it mean to challenge or ban a book?

Challenge – an attempt to restrict or remove a book

Ban – removal of a book that has been challenged

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Why would someone challenge or ban a book?

Usually good intentions Protect someone from what they perceive as

dangerous or disturbing ideas or situations What is dangerous or disturbing to one person

or segment of society may be exciting and innovative to others and perhaps just "the truth" to still others.

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Why would someone challenge or ban a book?

Sexually explicit Contain offensive language Unsuited to age group Point of view is offensive Viewed as promoting the occult Viewed as promoting a religious viewpoint Viewed as violent Racism Anti-family

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Who challenges books?

All kinds of people for various reasons

Sometimes it is surprising who challenges books

Can be anyone in the school district

Parents have the right to choose what THEIR child does or does not read.

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What happens when a book is challenged? Person talks to media specialist or classroom

teacher If not resolved, person talks to Principal If not resolved a committee is formed (adminstrator,

parent(s), teacher, media specialist, community member

Recommendation is made to the school board about book

School board decides what to do (usually follow recommendation)

Action is taken based on what school board decides

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What happens when a book is banned? The book is not available to anyone –

including people who may not find that book offensive

Limits everyone’s freedom to read and explore ideas

Parents no longer have the right to choose whether or not THEIR child reads that book

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First Amendment

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

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What are some books that have been banned?• Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

• The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

• Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling

• Forever by Judy Blume

• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

• Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

• My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

• The Giver by Lois Lowry

• Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

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Books that have been banned

• Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine

• A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck

• The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

• Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

• Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry

• Blubber by Judy Blume

• Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan

• Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam

• We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier

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Books that have been banned

• Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

• The Pigman by Paul Zindel

• Deenie by Judy Blume

• The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar

• Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz

• A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

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Books that have been banned

• The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney

• Lord of the Flies by William Golding

• Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

• On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer

• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

• Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene

• Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman

• How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

• The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

• The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney

• Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier