Books Challenged or Banned, Exams of Literature

Download Books Challenged or Banned and more Exams Literature in PDF only on Docsity! shout, oconghy erimenta fui Bet copeuce te The Bluest F xe at some of them, they ¢ He lied to his mother, sa very upset. His father jy nal. , mood struck him, he w¢ play on the swings or t t did and left too soon, came a very good shot. ly bored and frightened a On a day when he had black girl taking a shot kept her head down ass} imes before, standing a) ody ever played with her was ugly. ior called to her. “Hey ugh my yard?” topped. can come through this + 'r your yard. It’s the sch in charge of it.”” tarted to walk away. unior walked toward her . What’s your name?” don’t want to play.” . Pm not going to both zo home.” want to see something it is it?” in my house. See, I live After hugs and handshal yhole dad-side-of-the-fant his fake teeth and my aunt F told us that Aunt Rebecca din’t mention anything. All [| ut Grandma didn’t make then} We all sat down and watched ny brother talked about foot - And we ate dinner. And If > 8 i > ws a fogonad ee de Be yo se. 5 im £ i | dla Ha Jo, Wasab,, fdgoldy onthe grog Be i: ae colitis Be iL che cD «Ae ing ic 2. oa Ft «6B rs 2 bed EO ROBERT P. DOYLE  = 2 seca Sie 2 st isis) alla ree as en pl HD re 0h ae ike arc —— pease fete ie 089 ot found op seal ease ee rom (le) 1 ee stp sick ous ns ite fa termsn 350-~) mera ot pr aang he ange fo The Bluest Bye Ese 3 ome of them, they chased, caught, ied to his mother, saying Bay Boy ry upset. His father just kept on god struck him, he would call a child ay on the swings or the seesaw, If «| id and left too soon, 1 a very good shot. ored and frightened at home, the Playground na day when he had been especially idl, he ek girl taking a shortcut through the play. nt her head down as she walked. He had seen s before, standing alone, always alone, at ever played with her. Probably, he thought, s ugly. called to her. “Hey! What are you doing h my yard?” ped. a come through this yard “less I say so.” our yard. It’s the school’s.” harge of it.” ed to walk away. or walked toward her. “You can play in itif fhat’s your name?** n’t want to play.” m not going to bother you.” home.” ant to see something? I got something ' * hd bea did is. Hi eading the Passing he child Junior threw gravel gy ) it??? my house. See, I live right there. Come om rhngs and handshakes, we went into my grandma’s hoy. whole dad-side-of-the-family was there. Great Unele pj fake teeth and my aunt Rebecca, who is my dad’s sist dus that Aunt Rebecca just got divorced again, sy mention anything. All I could think about was the cao irandma didn’t make them this year because of her bad hi ii sat down and watched television instead, and my cousi: brother talked about football. And my Great Uncle Pt nd we ate dinner. And I had to sit at the little kids’ tab here are more cousins on my dad's side of the family. = be alive TOGETHER, even if we were only a semi-hot item, ee > so] felt beautiful, cer tok tO NeBE Thay have suit is so beautiful. It's so retroactive. It’s so retroactive gay 's radioactive!” And every dude in the joint immediately wished he'd wor his father’s lame polyester suit. And Timagined that every girl was immediately breathleg. and horny at the sight of my bell-bottom slacks. So, drunk with my sudden power, I pulled off some lane disco dance moves that sent the place into hysterics, Even Roger, the huge dude I'd punched in the face, ws suddenly my buddy. Penelope and I were so happy to be alive, and so happy‘o her ye 2 and we danced every single dance Nineteen dances; nineteen songs. Twelve fast songs; seven slow ones. Eleven country hits; five rock songs; three hip-hop tunes. it was the best night of my life. Of course, I was a sweaty mess inside that hot palyes ter suit. Butit didn’t matter. Penelope thought I was beautiful and And then the dance was over. The lights Hicked on. And Penelope suddenly realized we'd forgotten to get picture taken by the professional dude. “Oh, my God!” she yelled. “We fozgot to get ou" pict? Mant tae 89 show me what?” sGome kien We got some Kins, You can havea ou want.” “peal kitcens?” | yeah. Come on.” LL sie pulled gently at her dress. Pecola began to move 1 ward his house, When he knew she had aged, Junge main an ahead excitedly, stopping only to yell back at her Mit tome on, He held the door open for her, smiling his a ‘onragement. Pecola climbed the porch stairs and hea tared there, afraid to follow him. The house looked da fact Junior said, “There's nobody here. My ma’s gone ofereemaa and my father’s at work. Don’t you want to see the kisi ue seh TH oe Yr tens?” Ee Junior turned on the lights. Pecola stepped inside = door. How beautiful, she thought. What a beautiful hows There was a big red-and-gold Bible on the dining-rode. table, Little lace doilies were everywhere—on arms 3, tables. Potted plants were on all the windowsills. A cole wan picture of Jesus Christ hung on a wall with the prettis‘i ioetranl i St nan Paper flowers fastened on the frame. She wanted to aoe everything slowly, slowly. But Junior kept saying, “Hite Matyi ont te Nowra or arate Sang 2) rr backs of chairs, in the center of a large dining table, on lifzasursen g wuaic ¢ been able to pay tor the photographs. I knew that. And i rehearsed a speech about losing my wallet, fd made it through the evening without revealing my overt, | © figured I'd walk Pes hordad was waiting in his car. ['d give hera sweet little kiss on the cheek (because her dad would have shot me if I given elope out to the parking lot, where the tongue while he watched), And then I'd wave good: as they drove away. And then I'd wait in the parking lot until everybody was gone. And then I'd start the walk home in the dark, It was a Suturday, so 1 knew some would be returning home from Spokane. And I new they'd see me and pick me up That was the plan. But things changed. As things always change. Roger and a few of the other dudes, the popular enys, de- Sided they were going to drive into Spokane and have pan- cakes at some twenty-four hour diner. It was suddenly the coolest idea in the world. Tewas all seniors and juniors, upperclassmen, who were Going together, But Penelope was so popular, especially for a freshman, ‘nd Las popular by association, even as a freshman, too, that Roger invited us to come along. Penelope was ecstatic about the idea. Thus sick to my stomach, Thad five bucks i in my pocket. What could Tuy with that? vation family z propery 9 condom cr dt we one be connate ere Sebe 3 a satiate at in ape sone cept 2 You. Come on. Come on.” He pulled her into snoberoe geet ‘ven’ more beautiful than the first. More doilies, a big latin with green-and-gold base and white shade. There was ei 44 on the floor, with enormous dark-red flowers. She Vast tan, pan inadmiration of the flowers when Junior said, “Hera ae thew turned, “Here is your kitten!” he screeched. ands “aes “wa big black cat right in her face. She sucked in “What's that?” He gave me a quick glance. Pushed up his glasses, Rog scribbling again, “He’s got a spot on his right lung. 1 want the check it out.” “A spot?” I said, the room suddenly too small. “Cancer?” Baba added casually. “Possible. It’s suspicious, anyway,” the doctor muttered. he m to i oanmvanttallustiore alias hed Ma Vonage tie Prsdiens ha eae a A phomt we Sy People te ect ope op ei fete de eg fs toca nh ane Saree ihe it Ssraieveripteas ieee ee ome pion wh jon rote P pipiess aa ea a maar al vExeuse te, Doctor,” I said, es Baba as gniled and stood back, stethoscope still in hanc “Baba, I read Dr. Schneider's biography in He was born in Michigan. Michigan! He’s Am ‘American than you and I will ever be.” “{ don’t care where he was born, he’s Rouss macing like it was a dirty word. “His parents orandparents were Roussi. | swear on vour moth Books Challenged or Banned, 2o15–2o16 3 Jihad. after review by the district, the book was retained as a supplemental text from which seventh- and eighth-grade teachers could choose various activities that are educationally appropriate as they explore world cultures. source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, p. 55. Chbosky, Stephen The Perks of Being a Wallflower POCkET BOOkS removed from the required high school freshman english curriculum in Wallingford, Conn. (2015) by the school superintendent after a parent complained that the book included references to “homosexuality, date rape, masturbation, and the glorification of alcohol use and drugs.” The novel was adapted into a film in 2012, which received mainly positive reviews; MTV, Us Weekly, and Complex named it as one of the best films of the year. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, May 2015, p. 69. Choldenko, Gennifer Al Capone Does My Shirts PUFFIn Challenged on the new York state elementary- and middle-school reading lists (2015) because complainants said the book “perpetuates negative stereotypes by touting the infamous gangster al Capone.” The two sequels in Choldenko’s “Tales from alcatraz” novels were also challenged: Al Capone Shines My Shoes and Al Capone Does My Homework. Capone was a prisoner at alcatraz from 1935 to 1939. The book was named a newbery honor selection, an ala notable Children’s Book, and in 2007 it received the California Young reader Medal. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, July 2015, p. 96. Dawe, Ted Into the River mAnGAkInO UnIVErSITy PrESS Banned from sale and supply in new Zealand (2015) because it contains “highly offensive language, strong sexual descriptions (and) covers serious things like pedophilia and sexual abuse.” The country’s Film and literature Board, following complaints from family advocacy group Family First, took the book out of circulation. It was the first book banned in new Zealand in the last twenty-two years. on october 14, 2015, the Film and literature Board lifted the ban, ruling by a majority that while aspects of the book were offensive it did not merit an age restriction. The novel is a coming-of-age story, and is intended for a young adult audience. It was awarded the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year prize and also won the top prize in the Young adult Fiction category at the 2013 new Zealand Post Children’s Book awards. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, nov. 2015, p. 146. Dawson, James This Book Is Gay hOT kEy BOOkS Wasilla, alaska, Public library (2015) moved its entire young adult nonfiction to the adult stacks in response to a complaint about dawson’s book. several Wasilla residents attacked the book at a city council meeting saying that “they didn’t want ‘gay books’ or books about gay people in the library at all.” For defending the sex education book for teens, the library director was branded as a pedophile in the highly controversial public debates. source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, p. 53. de Haan, Linda and Stern Nijland King & King TrICyCLE PrESS Challenged at the efland-Cheeks, n.C. elementary school (2015) after a third-grade teacher read the book to deal with a case of bullying. The teacher said he read the book after a boy in his class was called gay in a derogatory way and told he was acting like a girl. Two parents said the book was inappropriate for children that age, and at least one said parents should have been notified in advance. The complaints were withdrawn after the teacher and vice principal resigned from the school. originally written in dutch, the book has been published in at least eight languages and a theatrical version has been performed from Vienna to Mexico City. The image of the princes kissing each other at their wedding on the final page has been cited by social conservatives as “gay-rights movements undermining religious freedom.” source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, July 2015, pp. 118-19. Dorfman, Ariel Death and the Maiden PEnGUIn BOOkS Challenged as required reading in the rumson-Fair haven, n.J. high school (2015) because the play is “too sexually explicit for high school teens.” an ad hoc committee of teachers, school board members, and a parent recommended that the play be moved off the summer reading list and instead be taught during the school year so teachers can guide the students as they read it. The play is about a former political prisoner who was raped by her captors. Years later, she believes she has found her attacker—a man who drove her husband home after a flat tire. she ties up her attacker and puts him on trial, with her husband acting as his attorney. The play received the laurence olivier award for Best new Play in 1992. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, nov. 2015, pp. 142-43; Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, pp. 55-56. Foer, Jonathan Safran Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close mArInEr BOOkS removed from the Mattoon, Ill. high school curriculum (2015) because of “its use of lewd and possibly offensive materials.” The novel’s narrator is a nine-year-old boy, oskar schell, who lost his father in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, and is convinced that his dad left a final message for him somewhere in the city. The book was named to the new York Public library’s “Books to remember” list and to the american library association’s notable Books for adults (2006). a film adaptation of the novel was released on January 20, 2012, starring Tom hanks and sandra Bullock. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, nov. 2015, p. 141; Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, p. 34. 4 Books Challenged or Banned, 2o15–2o16 Forman, Gayle Just One Day SPEAk Challenged, but retained in the rosemount, Minn. middle and high school libraries (2015) despite a parent’s concern about “a graphic sex scene, underage drinking [and] date rape” and also “inappropriate language.” The parent suggested the district remove it from all rosemount-apple Valley-eagan libraries. The book centers on a teenager, allyson, who spends one romantic day in Paris with a mysterious actor and later decides she must leave college and return to europe. source: AL Direct, nov. 24, 2015; Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, pp. 53-54. Gaiman, Neil The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll’s House DC COmICS Challenged, but retained at Crafton hills College, a community college in Yucaipa, Calif. (2015) despite a student’s request to remove the book because it was “objectionable.” The series tells the tale of the ageless, anthropomorphic personification of dream that is known by many names, including Morpheus. Begun in January 1989, the series concluded in March 1996. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, sept. 2015, pp. 161-62. Green, John Looking for Alaska DUTTOn BOOkS Challenged, but retained in the lumberton Township, n.J. middle school (2015) despite a parent questioning its “sexual content.” awarded the 2006 Michael l. Printz award for excellence in Young adult literature, this coming-of- age story traces the journey of Miles halter, a misfit Florida teenager who leaves the safety of home for a boarding school in alabama and a chance to explore the “great Perhaps.” source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, nov. 2015, pp. 163-64. Haddon, Mark The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time DOUBLEDAy Pulled as a summer reading assignment in the leon County, Fla. schools (2015) because of the book’s content and language. Moved from required reading to optional reading at lincoln high school in Tallahassee, Fla. (2015) after receiving about a dozen complaints through telephone calls and e-mails about the book’s profanity and atheism. The award-winning book is about a 15-year- old autistic child who investigates the death of a neighbor’s dog. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, sept. 2015, p. 146; nov. 2015, pp. 140-41. Harper, Kathryn Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs PEArSOn EDUCATIOn, LImITED removed from a Qatar school library (2016) after a book based on disney’s “snow White and the seven dwarfs” was deemed to contain ”indecent” illustrations. officials from Qatar’s supreme education council intervened following a complaint from the father of a pupil at the spanish sek international school, based in the capital, doha. It is not known which images caused offense, but the book cover shows a smiling snow White being held by the prince, who in the story revives her with a kiss after she eats a poisoned apple, english-language website doha news reported. source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, p. 41. Henson, Jim For Every Child a Better World GOLDEn BOOkS Challenged, but retained in the Marshfield, Wis. elementary schools (2015), despite objections from a school board member and chairwoman of the Central Wisconsin Tea Party who thought the book too graphic—namely, that its illustrations of some children living in poverty and violence are inappropriate for kindergartners. The book, published in 1993 by golden Press, is “written” by kermit the Frog (“as told to louise gikow and ellen Weiss”). It was produced in cooperation with the United nations as a fundraiser for the organization. source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, pp. 56-57. Hergé [Georges Remi] Tintin in America FrEnCh & EUrOPEAn PUBLICATIOnS Pulled by the Winnipeg, Canada Public library (2015) pending review due to stereotypical and racist depictions of indigenous peoples. The library eventually returned the book to general circulation, but in the adult collection, where it will be available to adult readers who want to see it for themselves or “carry on discussions with their children or others.” source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, July 2015, p. 93. Hernandez, Gilbert Palomar: The Heartbreak Soup Stories FAnTAGrAPhICS BOOkS restricted to students, under the age of eighteen, unless they have parental permission at the rio rancho, n. Mex. high school library (2015) because it was “too graphic” for a high school library shelf. Included in Time magazine’s Best Comics of 2003 list, and in 2005 was one of Time’s 100 best graphic novels of all time. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, sept. 2015, p. 145. Herthel, Jessica, and Jazz Jennings I Am Jazz DIAL BOOkS Canceled as a planned reading in the Mount horeb, Wis. school district (2015) after the Florida-based liberty Counsel group threatened to sue. The children’s book is the story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings. on July 15, 2015, the reality television series featuring Jazz Jennings premiered to positive reviews. source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, pp. 35-36. Books Challenged or Banned, 2o15–2o16 5 Hopkins, Ellen Glass mArGArET k. mCELDErry BOOkS removed at the standard Middle school in Bakersfield, Calif. (2015) along with the two other titles in the “Crank Trilogy” after a parent complained about the sex, violence, drugs, and alcohol in the book. The book follows the life of a girl named kristina and her battle with addiction to methamphetamine. according to simon and schuster’s website, the book is recommended for children who are at least 14 years old. The novel was a New York Times bestseller, a Quills award nominee, and was awarded the Book sense Top 10, nYPl recommended for Teens, Psla Top Ten for Teens, Charlotte award, Ira Young adult Choices award, kentucky Bluegrass award, sslI honor Book award, and gateway readers award. source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, p. 31. Hosseini, Khaled The Kite Runner BLOOmSBUry suspended, but later reinstated as approved reading at the Buncombe County, n.C. schools (2015). The complainant, a self-described “conservative government watchdog,” cited state law requiring local boards of education to include “character education” in the curriculum. she also said schools must teach sex education from an abstinence-only perspective. The book is used in tenth-grade honors english classes and parents can request an alternative reading assignment for the child. The New York Times bestseller is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of afghanistan’s monarchy through the soviet military intervention, the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United states, and the rise of the Taliban regime. a number of adaptations were created following publication, including several stage performances and a graphic novel. The film of the same name was nominated for the golden globe award for Best Foreign language Film in 2007. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, July 2015, pp. 96-97. Kean, Sam The Disappearing Spoon: And Other Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements LITTLE, BrOWn; BACk BAy BOOkS Challenged at the discovery Middle school in orlando, Fla. (2015) because “parts of the book are dark, and (the book has) some content that’s rather questionable for a 12- and 13-year-old reader.” The author views the periodic table as one of the great achievements of humankind, “an anthropological marvel.” The book is full of stories showing how each element affected the people who discovered the elements, for either good or bad. The book was nominated by the royal society in the United kingdom as one of the top science books of 2010 and named an amazon “Top 5” science book of the year. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, nov. 2015, p. 140. Kilodavis, Cheryl My Princess Boy: A Mom’s Story about a Young Boy Who Loves to Dress Up ALADDIn Challenged, but retained at the hood County library in granbury, Tex. (2015) despite complaints that the book promotes “perversion” and the “gay lifestyle.” The hood County library advisory Board voted to keep the book in the library. The controversy comes at the same time as the hood County Clerk refused to sign off on same-sex marriage licenses. The book is based on the author’s son who prefers to wear clothes that some people consider feminine. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, July 2015, pp. 93-94; sept. 2015, p. 160. Kleinbaum, N. H. Dead Poet’s Society BAnTAm BOOkS Challenged, but retained at the Jersey CUsd 100 in Jerseyville, Ill. (2015) despite a complaint by a local pastor who found the book “disturbing, very close to a strong, mild pornography… To me that book represents a [disrespectful attitude toward] parents and their judgments. It shows rebellion towards teachers, and has graphic immoral areas.” set at the conservative and aristocratic Welton academy in the northeastern United states in 1959, it tells the story of an english teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry. The 1989 film starring robin Williams received critical acclaim and was a box office success; it was also BaFTa’s best film and best foreign film in France and Italy. The movie also received the academy award for Best original screenplay. source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, pp. 33-34. Lahiri, Jhumpa The Namesake hOUGhTOn mIFFLIn recommended for removal by the ad-hoc literature committee of the Coeur d’alene, Idaho, school district (2015) because it contains “descriptions of sexual conduct that are too explicit for high school seniors.” The novel examines being caught between two conflicting cultures with highly distinct religious, social, and ideological differences. a film adaptation of the novel was released in the United states, Canada, United kingdom, and India in March 2006. The Indian-Bengali american author won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was awarded the 2014 national Medal of arts and humanities at a White house ceremony. source: Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, Spring 2016, p. 33. MacLaverty, Bernard Cal W. W. nOrTOn & COmPAny Challenged as required reading in the rumson-Fair haven, n.J. high school (2015) because the novel is “too sexually explicit for high school teens.” The novel has been on and off the required reading list for juniors over recent years. an ad hoc committee of teachers, school board members, and a parent determined the novel was age-appropriate for the district’s juniors and seniors. Published in 1983, the novel is about a young Irish Catholic man involved in the Irish republican army who falls in love with the wife of a man murdered in an incident 8 Books Challenged or Banned, 2o15–2o16 works, including roald dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, Tom robbins’ Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and Tony kushner’s Angels in America—which has also been removed from a textbook, reported The Guardian. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, sept. 2015, pp. 145-46. Winter, Jeanette Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan BEACh LAnE BOOkS Challenged in the duval County, Fla. public schools (2015) because a coalition of parents believes the book is inappropriate for promoting another religion that is not Christianity and is too violent for young children. Critics claim the book promotes “the koran and praying to Muhammad.” duval County public school libraries have a banned books list of ten literary works, including roald dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, Tom robbins’ Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and Tony kushner’s Angels in America— which has also been removed from a textbook, reported The Guardian. Challenged at the eau Claire, Wis. schools (2015) because the book contains an Islamic prayer. The book is about the Taliban taking control of an afghan village and preventing girls from going to school. after nasreen’s father is kidnapped and presumed killed, her grandmother smuggles her each day to an underground school where she can learn to read and write. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, sept. 2015, pp. 145-46; Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, spring 2016, p. 35. story. Vaughan won the 2005 eisner award for Best Writer and the 2008 eisner award for Best Continuing series. In 2015, the eisner awards entered Vaughan into the Comic Book hall of Fame. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, sept. 2015, pp. 161-62. Walls, Jeannette The Glass Castle: A Memoir SCrIBnEr suspended at the ambridge, Pa. high school (2015) because the book is “racist and sexually explicit.” The challenged memoir is about growing up in poverty with a father who spent his money on alcohol and a mother who became homeless. Published in 2005, the memoir spent a total of 261 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and is now under development as a film by Paramount. By late 2007, The Glass Castle had sold over 2.7 million copies, had been translated into 22 languages, and received the Christopher award, the american library association’s alex award (2006), and the Books for Better living award. source: Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom, nov. 2015, pp. 143-44. Winter, Jeanette The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq hmh BOOkS FOr yOUnG rEADErS Challenged in the duval County, Fla. public schools (2015) because a coalition of parents believes the book is inappropriate for promoting another religion that is not Christianity and is too violent for young children. Critics claim the book promotes “the koran and praying to Muhammad.” The true story is about a librarian who sneaks books out of a library during the U.s. bombings in Iraq. The librarian works with members of the community to keep the books safe until the war is over and a new library can be built. duval County public school libraries have a banned books list of ten literary Books Challenged or Banned, 2o15–2o16 9 The First Amendment guarantees that each of us has the right to express our views, including opinions about particular books. At the same time, the First Amendment also ensures that none of us has the right to control or limit another person’s ability to read or access information. yet when individuals or groups file formal written requests demanding that libraries and schools remove specific books from the shelves, they are doing just that—attempting to restrict the rights of other individuals to access those books. 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. 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 we so often take for granted—the right to read, explore ideas, and express ourselves freely—are at risk. Be aware of what’s happening The best way to fight censorship is to be aware that it’s happening. When you encounter it, be prepared to speak up or let others know. ask the people on the front lines— librarians, teachers, and school principals—if there are any current attempts to challenge or ban books or other materials. If they have support groups or information lists, ask to join them. legislators and public officials often introduce legislation to restrict access to books and other materials in libraries, schools, and bookstores. let officials know that there are citizens actively opposed to demands to restrict or remove books in schools and libraries. Attend school board, library board, and PTA meetings You can speak up about the importance of free speech to education in a democratic society. as a regular participant in gatherings, you have the opportunity to learn about policies governing access to books and materials. You can witness firsthand when someone demands that a school or library remove a book or restrict access to books. 10 Books Challenged or Banned, 2o15–2o16 1 STAy INfORmED Subscribe to print and online news publications You can stay current on First Amendment rights and censorship issues. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (ala.org/oif) publishes Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy and provides regular news updates via the oIF blog and Twitter (twitter.com/oif). The First Amendment Center (firstamendmentcenter.org) maintains an online First amendment library (firstamendmentcenter.org/research- articles) and provides breaking news about First amendment issues via its rss newsfeed. Join groups committed to preserving the right to read You can participate by joining these nonprofit organizations. The American Booksellers for Free Expression (bookweb.org/abfe) promotes and protects the free exchange of ideas, particularly those contained in books, by opposing restrictions on the freedom of speech. The American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org) works daily to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, including the freedom of speech and freedom of the press. local chapters and affiliates (aclu.org/affiliates) provide assistance to local communities. The Association of American Publishers (publishers.org) works to protect intellectual freedom and the right of free expression so that american publishers can continue to flourish in a free marketplace of ideas. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (cbldf.org) works to protect free speech in comics by supporting First amendment rights for the comics community, fans and professionals alike. The Freedom to Read Foundation (ftrf. org) is the only organization in the United states whose primary goal is to protect and promote the First amendment in libraries by participating in litigation dealing with free expression in libraries and other venues. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, the FTRF News. The National Coalition Against Censorship (ncac.org) is an alliance of fifty national nonprofit organizations, including literary, artistic, religious, educational, professional, labor, and civil liberties groups, that work to educate both members and the public about the dangers of censorship and how to oppose it. People for the American Way (pfaw.org) is dedicated to making the promise of america real for every american by assuring equality, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to seek justice in a court of law, and the right to cast a vote that counts. ACT NOW TO pROTECT yOUR RIGHT TO READ HERE ARE THREE WAyS THAT yOU CAN GET INvOLvED: Sponsors: American Booksellers for Free Expression American Library Association Association of American Publishers The Association of American University Presses Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Dramatists Legal Defense Fund Freedom to read Foundation national Council of Teachers of English People for the American Way Banned Books Week merchandise to help celebrate the freedom to read—such as posters, t-shirts, buttons, and bookmarks—is available for purchase at the ALA Store online at alastore.ala.org, or by calling toll-free at 1-866-SHOP ALA (1-866-746-7252). SUppORT BANNED BOOKS WEEK Contributors: Association of Journalists and Authors national Association of College Stores national Coalition Against Censorship PEn America Project Censored Endorsed by: Center for the Book in the Library of Congress STAND UP FOR YOUR Le 0)