September 22-28, 2019

2. September 22-28, 2019 Let’s talk about censorship!

3. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free 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.”  First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791. Source: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship

4. The First Amendment is open to wide interpretation. It is often a hot topic in news around the world.

5. Censorship: the changing or the suppression or prohibition of speech or writing that is deemed subversive of the common good. • Censorship can come from a government, group, school, and individuals. Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/censorship

6. CHALLENGED: Someone has formally raised a concern about a book’s content CENSORED: Someone has altered or removed some or all of a book’s content RESTRICTED: The book is not available to a certain group of people (such as elementary school students) BANNED: The book is completely removed from a library. No one who visits that library has access to the book through the library.

7. The First Amendment only applies to government censorship. Remember, the First Amendment reads: “Congress shall make no law…” • Do schools represent the government? Do public libraries? Religious groups? Private businesses? Radio and TV stations? Parents?

8. Individuals—can include students, teachers, librarians, principals, parents, people in the community Groups—religious groups / churches, parent groups (PTA), school board, textbook committees According to the Challenges by Initiator, Institution, Type, and Year, parents challenge materials more often than any other group.

9. drug/alcohol use • nudity • religious viewpoint • sex education • suicide • criticizes the government • profanity • sex • Violence • LGBT+ • witchcraft/The Occult • racism Source: https://bannedbooksweek.org/10-reasons-books-are-challenged-and-banned/

10. 483 total challenges reported to ALA in 2018 • These are the most-frequently CHALLENGED, RESTRICTED, CENSORED, and BANNED books in 2018 • Location: USA • List contains picture books and graphic novels, and is 100% focused on books for children and teens • Challenges are for school library books, public library books, and assigned reading (textbooks and class novels) • Many challenges are not reportedto the ALA. Source: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10#2018

11. How many do you think we have in our library?

12. Middle grade realistic fiction • banned, challenged, and relocated because it was believed to encourage children to clear browser history and change their bodies using hormones, and for mentioning “dirty magazines,” describing male anatomy, “creating confusion,” and including a transgender character • Goodreads: 4.05 (24,000 ratings)

13. Picture book • A boy bunny falls in love with another boy bunny • banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, and for political and religious viewpoints • Goodreads: 4.73 (11,000 ratings)

14. Elementary / graphic novel • Currently 12 books in series + 10 spin-off books • Reasons: series challenged because it is perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior, while Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot was challenged for including a same-sex couple • Goodreads: ranges from 3.92-4.34

15. YA realistic fiction • 16-year old Starr is the sole witness when her friend Kahlil is shot and killed by a police officer • banned and challenged because it was deemed “anti-cop,” and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references • Goodreads: 4.52 (349,000 ratings)

16. Middle school graphic novel • banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ characters and themes • Goodreads: 4.18 (68,000 ratings)

17. YA realistic fiction • Hannah sends 13 cassette tapes to the 13 people she believes are responsible for her suicide • Reasons: banned, challenged, and restricted for addressing teen suicide • Goodreads: 3.95 (704,000 ratings)

18. YA graphic novel • Two 13-year old girls spend the summer at their neighboring beach homes • Reasons: banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and certain illustrations • Goodreads: 3.67 (50,000 ratings)

19. Picture book • Reason: challenged for depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture • Goodreads: 4.25 (31,000 ratings)

20. YA realistic fiction • Reasons: banned and challenged for sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, and underage drinking, and for its religious viewpoint • Goodreads: 4.11 (208,000 ratings)

21. Picture book • In the USA, June is Gay Pride Month • Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content • Goodreads: 4.23 (950 ratings)

22. YA realistic fiction • Two 17-year old boys try to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by entering a 32-hour kissing marathon—based on a true story • Reason: challenged and burned for including LGBTQIA+ content • Goodreads: 4.09 (36,000 ratings)

23. www.readerpants.net

24. All cover images courtesy of Goodreads • Slide #4 image from Unsplash; background removed • All artwork outside the cover images and Slide 4 was purchased from Adobe Stock • Page border by DigiPop Shop on TPT • Header font is KG All of Me (free download on TPT)

25. Anastaplo, George. “Censorship.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/censorship. “Banned vs. Challenged Books.” Arizona State University Library, https://libguides.asu.edu/c.php?g=718504&p=5216447. “First Amendment and Censorship.” American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship. “Frequently Challenged Books.” American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10#2018. Gomez, Betsy. “Ten Reasons Books are Challenged and Banned.” Banned Books Week, 26 Sep 2018, https://bannedbooksweek.org/10-reasons-books-are-challenged-and-banned/.