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?
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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?
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Usually good intentions
 Protect
someone from what they perceive as
dangerous or disturbing ideas or situations
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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
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