Young Adult Literature

Examples to try in class in teams of parents and teachers.

A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. (ALA Website)

Chris Crutcher's  web page

Frequently Banned & Challenged Books

School Censorship

Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom -recent reported cases of book targets in one section every issue ( bimonthly)- EWU has print and electronic access

Resources:

"Thinking about Intellectual Freedom" Cooperative Children's Book Center Dept of Education U of Wisconsin--up to date list of definitions, articles, professional statements and checklists

• Know what organized groups are saying Parents against Bad Books in Schools
• Notable Court cases about Freedom to Read
• Banned Books Week- celebrates the freedom to read Last week of September each year, including the most challenged ( and reported) materials

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Definitions

First Amendment of U.S.  Constitution

"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."

American Library Association (ALA)

In 1986, in response to inquiries from librarians facing book or material challenges for the first time, the Intellectual Freedom Committee developed the following list of definitions to clarify terminology associated with challenges:

• Expression of Concern. An inquiry that has judgmental overtones.
• Oral Complaint. An oral challenge to the presence and/or appropriateness of the material in question.
• Written Complaint. A formal, written complaint filed with the institution (library, school, etc.), challenging the presence and/or appropriateness of specific material.
• Public Attack. A publicly disseminated statement challenging the value of the material, presented to the media and/or others outside the institutional organization in order to gain public support for further action.
• Censorship. A change in the access status of material, based on the content of the work and made by a governing authority or its representatives. Such changes include exclusion, restriction, removal, or age/grade level changes

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Questions- ethics, parent's rights, preparedness

• National Coalition Against Censorship - information and advocacy
• Parents Against Bad books in the Schools - group promoting limiting student access
• Mel Gabler's Texas Textbook reviews
• Key updated documents from organizations and English teachers and authors by Random House. Scan, download, read and consider-- this is some of the best summary of current thinking
• Key article for English teachers (1999)
• ReadWriteThink lesson on controversy

• Basic steps to be prepared and improve your understanding:

  • Reflect regularly on your values, your understanding of teens, your belief in the value of literature and reading and teaching methods

  • Read the edgy books on common topics that are challenged- profanity, sex, violence, family values, religion

  • Learn how to write a rationale for a book, save common ones that are available

  • Be aware of your school’s policies and common understandings- book selection, curriculum adoption, form to request a title, challenge procedure, principal’s approach, language arts teachers

  • Know your local public librarian

  • Talk with young people about controversial issues- learn the techniques that make you comfortable

  • Maintain communication with parents- find the methods that work for your situation

  • Be prepared to offer valid choices to accomplish your goals

Preventative Measures

Familiarize yourself with the concept of Intellectual Freedom, the First Ammendment, and Censorship.