Banned Books
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Okay Hayley we know you like banned books...
But what is the difference between banned books and challenged books?
When a book is challenged...
...there is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.
But why are books challenged?
Many organizations claim that books are challenged to protect children from difficult ideas and information.
Listen to this smart man:
"Censorship can be subtle, almost imperceptible, as well as blatant and overt, but, nonetheless, harmful." -John Stuart Mill
The following were the top three reasons cited for challenging materials as reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom.
What does it mean to be banned:
Like I said when books are banned they are removed, kicked to the curb, see ya later, adios....
Brief history of banned books
Banning books goes back as far as 450 BC when Anaxagoras wrote that he thought the sun was a “white hot stone and that the moon reflected the sun's rays.” His writings were deemed “derogatory” to the gods, forcing his departure from Athens and the burning of all of his writings.
Since then what society's definition of derogatory is has been a point from which controversy stems.
One notable time period was in 1873. A man named Anthony Comstock founded his New York Society for the Suppression of Vice. The main objective of the society was to prevent “obscene” materials from polluting the minds of the American people, especially the youth. In the beginning, the group targeted mostly erotica and crime stories. Comstock viewed dime novels as the equivalent of children's pornography and claimed the devil used such novels to entice children to a life of crime and lust.
In years since it has proven more difficult to ban books due to the courts protecting intellectual freedom. In the Supreme Court ruled in Board of Education, Island Trees v. Pico that public school boards could not remove a book from the library “simply because they dislike[d] the ideas contained in those books.” In its 1982 decision, the Court said a balance must be struck between the school’s role as an educator and the students’ rights of access to materials.
Justice Harry A. Blackmun elaborated, saying that books should be removed only when a book more relevant to the curriculum was available or when other “politically neutral” reasons were present.
Many people would think the time of book burning is long past. However, in August 2003 a group burned the Harry Potter Series in Greenville, Michigan.
Give us some examples Hayley!
Well okay...let's watch this short video...
But what is the difference between banned books and challenged books?
When a book is challenged...
...there is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.
But why are books challenged?
Many organizations claim that books are challenged to protect children from difficult ideas and information.
Listen to this smart man:
"Censorship can be subtle, almost imperceptible, as well as blatant and overt, but, nonetheless, harmful." -John Stuart Mill
The following were the top three reasons cited for challenging materials as reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom.
- the material was considered to be "sexually explicit"
- the material contained "offensive language"
- the materials was "unsuited to any age group"
What does it mean to be banned:
Like I said when books are banned they are removed, kicked to the curb, see ya later, adios....
Brief history of banned books
Banning books goes back as far as 450 BC when Anaxagoras wrote that he thought the sun was a “white hot stone and that the moon reflected the sun's rays.” His writings were deemed “derogatory” to the gods, forcing his departure from Athens and the burning of all of his writings.
Since then what society's definition of derogatory is has been a point from which controversy stems.
One notable time period was in 1873. A man named Anthony Comstock founded his New York Society for the Suppression of Vice. The main objective of the society was to prevent “obscene” materials from polluting the minds of the American people, especially the youth. In the beginning, the group targeted mostly erotica and crime stories. Comstock viewed dime novels as the equivalent of children's pornography and claimed the devil used such novels to entice children to a life of crime and lust.
In years since it has proven more difficult to ban books due to the courts protecting intellectual freedom. In the Supreme Court ruled in Board of Education, Island Trees v. Pico that public school boards could not remove a book from the library “simply because they dislike[d] the ideas contained in those books.” In its 1982 decision, the Court said a balance must be struck between the school’s role as an educator and the students’ rights of access to materials.
Justice Harry A. Blackmun elaborated, saying that books should be removed only when a book more relevant to the curriculum was available or when other “politically neutral” reasons were present.
Many people would think the time of book burning is long past. However, in August 2003 a group burned the Harry Potter Series in Greenville, Michigan.
Give us some examples Hayley!
Well okay...let's watch this short video...
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/1/1/20116763/9260574.jpg)
Banning the Horror Genre
http://monsterlibrarian.com/BannedBooksWeek.htm
We here at Monster Librarian have the pleasure of providing reviews of horror fiction, urban fantasy, thrillers, paranormal romance, and scary books for children. It is our desire to help librarians with these genres and support the genre reading community.
http://monsterlibrarian.com/BannedBooksWeek.htm
We here at Monster Librarian have the pleasure of providing reviews of horror fiction, urban fantasy, thrillers, paranormal romance, and scary books for children. It is our desire to help librarians with these genres and support the genre reading community.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/1/1/20116763/4408266.jpg)
Who challenges and bans books?
Many different groups of people of all persuasions for various reasons have attempted and still try to challenge and ban books that go against their beliefs.
In his book Free Speech for Me—But Not for Thee: How the American Left and Right Relentlessly Censor Each Other, Nat Hentoff writes that “the lust to suppress can come from any direction.” He quotes Phil Kerby, a former editor of the Los Angeles Times, as saying, “Censorship is the strongest drive in human nature; sex is a weak second.”
Parents challenge materials more often than any other group.
The Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. The ALA condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. For more information on ALA's efforts to raise awareness of censorship and promote the freedom to read.
Who should have the say?
Who do you think should have the say in challenging and banning books? Parents? Teachers? Administration? Politicians? Kids themselves?
The Library Bill of Rights states that “Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources.”
Censorship by librarians of constitutionally protected speech, whether for protection or for any other reason, violates the First Amendment.
As Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., in Texas v. Johnson said:
"If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable."
Noam Chomsky said:
"If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all."
Or these words of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas
"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."
Many different groups of people of all persuasions for various reasons have attempted and still try to challenge and ban books that go against their beliefs.
In his book Free Speech for Me—But Not for Thee: How the American Left and Right Relentlessly Censor Each Other, Nat Hentoff writes that “the lust to suppress can come from any direction.” He quotes Phil Kerby, a former editor of the Los Angeles Times, as saying, “Censorship is the strongest drive in human nature; sex is a weak second.”
Parents challenge materials more often than any other group.
The Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools. The ALA condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information. For more information on ALA's efforts to raise awareness of censorship and promote the freedom to read.
Who should have the say?
Who do you think should have the say in challenging and banning books? Parents? Teachers? Administration? Politicians? Kids themselves?
The Library Bill of Rights states that “Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources.”
Censorship by librarians of constitutionally protected speech, whether for protection or for any other reason, violates the First Amendment.
As Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., in Texas v. Johnson said:
"If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable."
Noam Chomsky said:
"If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all."
Or these words of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas
"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/1/1/20116763/2204818.jpg)
Is it censorship?
Key concepts
Key concepts
- The First Amendment has a role in affording the public access to discussion, debate and dissemination of information and ideas.
- The First Amendment protects the right to distribute literature also protects the right to receive it.
- The First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press extend to public school libraries.
- School boards cannot restrict the availability of books in public school libraries simply because school-board members disagree with certain ideas or content.
- School officials may remove books from the public school library based on educational suitability, but they may not "prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters of opinion."
- The First Amendment affirms the freedom of the individual.
- The First Amendment tells the government to keep its "hands off" our religion, our ideas, our ability to express ourselves.
- Other people have rights, too.
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Benefits of banned books
"What if I told you we were supposed to prepare children for the real world not hide it from them?"
I read a lot of comments where adults and parents said that children don't know what is good for them and you need to make decisions for them.
Well if you always make decisions for them how will they learn?
This is one pro-ban opinion I agree with:
"I am in favor of banning books because a book being banned is just the thing to get a kid to read it. Okay, maybe not the dictionary. Not much of a story there (yes, some districts in California banned the Merriam-Webster Dictionary because it includes definitions of some sexual terms).
All a student needs to hear is that some parent or other authority somewhere doesn’t want them to read something because it might harm them in some way and there’s a rush to check it out of the library.
So thank you school boards, state departments of education, and other authorities that take the time and effort to promote literature in this highly creative way. You’ve done a great job!"
Other positive aspects of discussing banned books:
KIDS LIKE THE BOOKS AND WANT TO READ!!!!!!!
"What if I told you we were supposed to prepare children for the real world not hide it from them?"
I read a lot of comments where adults and parents said that children don't know what is good for them and you need to make decisions for them.
Well if you always make decisions for them how will they learn?
This is one pro-ban opinion I agree with:
"I am in favor of banning books because a book being banned is just the thing to get a kid to read it. Okay, maybe not the dictionary. Not much of a story there (yes, some districts in California banned the Merriam-Webster Dictionary because it includes definitions of some sexual terms).
All a student needs to hear is that some parent or other authority somewhere doesn’t want them to read something because it might harm them in some way and there’s a rush to check it out of the library.
So thank you school boards, state departments of education, and other authorities that take the time and effort to promote literature in this highly creative way. You’ve done a great job!"
Other positive aspects of discussing banned books:
KIDS LIKE THE BOOKS AND WANT TO READ!!!!!!!
- Spark open and honest discussion
- Understand and debate real-life issues
- Learn to function in a changing society
- Nurture intellectual growth
- Encourage creative and critical thinking
- Recognize and accept cultural differences
- Value literature of all genres
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Books that have controversial issues or messages can also be beneficial to address difficult issue that may be occurring in children's' lives. Example Tango M
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BANNED BOOKS WEEK WHOOOOOO
Banned book week took place in September this year. This website displays articles about teachers and students activists who are pro-banned books. They also have read outs where people read sections from banned books. They also have videos and various resources for teachers. People can also create banned books week events and post them on the website. For New York State they had events in Syracuse, Albany, and Ithaca.
Kids Right to Read Project
The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) collaborated on the Kids Right to Read Project, which offers support, education, and advocacy to people facing book challenges or bans and engages local activists in promoting the freedom to read.
Banned book week took place in September this year. This website displays articles about teachers and students activists who are pro-banned books. They also have read outs where people read sections from banned books. They also have videos and various resources for teachers. People can also create banned books week events and post them on the website. For New York State they had events in Syracuse, Albany, and Ithaca.
Kids Right to Read Project
The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) collaborated on the Kids Right to Read Project, which offers support, education, and advocacy to people facing book challenges or bans and engages local activists in promoting the freedom to read.
Things to remind yourself as a teacher
1. Context is crucial
ex. Harper Lee’s to Kill a Mockingbird uses the word “nigger” however, Huck would rather go to hell than betray his friend Jim, the slave.
2. Weigh the positive against the negative aspects of the text and base your analysis and interpretation on which outweighs the other.
3. Most censorship is a form of denial.
Exposure to modern media will expose them.
Students want to and need to confront painful and controversial issues in the presence and guidance of responsible adults.
4. Banning a book denies the author the right to express his/her ideas.
5. Respect students’ abilities to read critically, to think logically and to use plain old-fashioned common sense.
How to address sensitive issues in the classroom
1 . Set the stage (environment)
2. know yourself and consider bias
3. Recognize diversity of your students
4. Set a framework and objective for the discussion
5. Common base for understanding
6. Be an active facilitator
7. Foster civility
8. Be prepared to deal with tense and emotional moments
9. Summarize
10. Leave time for reflection
How to appease angry parents
Listen
Put yourself in the parent's shoes
Strong school to community connections = fewer angry parents
Have backing of administration
Opt out options
Clear up misconceptions
Talk about facts and how it will be addressed in the classroom
1. Context is crucial
ex. Harper Lee’s to Kill a Mockingbird uses the word “nigger” however, Huck would rather go to hell than betray his friend Jim, the slave.
2. Weigh the positive against the negative aspects of the text and base your analysis and interpretation on which outweighs the other.
3. Most censorship is a form of denial.
Exposure to modern media will expose them.
Students want to and need to confront painful and controversial issues in the presence and guidance of responsible adults.
4. Banning a book denies the author the right to express his/her ideas.
5. Respect students’ abilities to read critically, to think logically and to use plain old-fashioned common sense.
How to address sensitive issues in the classroom
1 . Set the stage (environment)
2. know yourself and consider bias
3. Recognize diversity of your students
4. Set a framework and objective for the discussion
5. Common base for understanding
6. Be an active facilitator
7. Foster civility
8. Be prepared to deal with tense and emotional moments
9. Summarize
10. Leave time for reflection
How to appease angry parents
Listen
Put yourself in the parent's shoes
Strong school to community connections = fewer angry parents
Have backing of administration
Opt out options
Clear up misconceptions
Talk about facts and how it will be addressed in the classroom
Some author's opinions on censorship and banned books
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/1/1/20116763/44975.jpg)
Some banned book balogne!
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey; Reason: offensive language, irreverent behavior, challenge to authority figures, unsuitable for age group.
Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson; reason: homosexuality, unsuitable for age group.
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak; Reason: witchcraft, supernatural element
The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein; Reason: unsuited to age group
Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine; Reasons: violence, occult, satanic themes
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey; Reason: offensive language, irreverent behavior, challenge to authority figures, unsuitable for age group.
Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson; reason: homosexuality, unsuitable for age group.
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak; Reason: witchcraft, supernatural element
The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein; Reason: unsuited to age group
Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine; Reasons: violence, occult, satanic themes
A lot more fooey...Fun Facts:
"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss "Green Eggs and Ham" contains a mere 50 word vocabulary (thus the repetition from ol' Sam I Am), but some have found way more in those 50 words than Seuss intended. The book was banned in California in the early 1990s when it was suggested that the book's plot is actually a homosexual seduction. Someone believed that the eggs and ham that tempted Sam I Am were actually suggestive of homosexual acts. "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin, Jr. The Texas State Board of Education banned the book from all Texas schools because it was written by Bill Martin, Jr., who the board mistook for Bill Martin, author of the book "Ethical Marxism: The Categorical Imperative of Liberation" and other missives criticizing capitalism and the American system. "The Merriam-Webster Dictionary" One thing is certain: once a book has been banned, kids will seek it out to see why. Such is the case with the 10th edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Although it's the official dictionary of many spelling bees, the book was pulled from schools in California when the definition "oral sex" was included in the book. |