Embedded Files
Created by Stacy Kitsis, Arlington High School Librarian. Last updated: November 15, 2018.
Source: Reprinted by permission of the American Library Association.
What's a Banned Book?
What's the difference between banned and challenged books? Start here:
What's the difference between banned and challenged books? Start here:
Learn more about the history of book challenges in this interactive timeline:
And a breakdown of current trends:
Today's Task
Research two to three banned challenged books using the resources in this pathfinder
Open the class Padlet wall
Double click to create a new note
Put the title of the book and your first name in the header
Write 1-2 well-developed, original sentences summarizing:
What the book is about
Why the book was banned or challenged
Why you are or are not interested in reading the book
Add the cover of the book (use the first one if in a series)
Look it up on Goodreads.com
Copy the link to the Goodreads page for the book
Click the LINK icon on your Padlet post and copy it in
Keep track of your sources for future reference
Identifying Banned and Challenged Books
What books have been banned or challenged? Check out some of these lists from the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom:
What books have been banned or challenged? Check out some of these lists from the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom:
Finding an Actual Book
To see if we have the book in our library, search the catalog. If we don't have it, you can try Robbins Library catalog or ask Ms. Kitsis if you're interested learning about how to borrow e-books from Minuteman or Boston Public Library!
To see if we have the book in our library, search the catalog. If we don't have it, you can try Robbins Library catalog or ask Ms. Kitsis if you're interested learning about how to borrow e-books from Minuteman or Boston Public Library!
Ban Those Books
Source: Courtesy of New York Public Library.
Search Tips
Use quotation marks to find complete phrases, especially proper names and titles. For example:
"hunger games" or "of mice and men"
Combine keywords to get articles that match each of your important concepts. For example:
vonnegut AND banned
"harry potter" AND challenged
Target your Google search to specific domains. You can limit your Google results to specific websites or domains, such as .gov or .edu.
"perks of being a wallflower" banned site:ala.org
"and tango makes three" challenged site:gov
Play around. Both ala.org (American Library Association) and ila.org (Illinois Library Association) are GREAT for this assignment.
Check your spelling. If you don't find anything on your topic, sloppy spelling may be to blame!
For Further Research
Opposing Viewpoints (Gale)
Viewpoints and arguments about book banning and censorship. Go straight to this collection of viewpoints on banned books to get started.
Books and Authors (Gale)
Search by title for brief summaries, awards, and reviews. Great source for more popular works, too. Tip: Pay attention to the source of the reviews.
Gale Literary Sources (Gale)
Literary criticism, reviews and news, and more. Tip: Search by Name of Work under Advanced Search to get fewer, more precise results.
General OneFile (Gale)
This periodical database is a good place to look for newspapers and magazine articles on possible challenges to your book as well as additional reviews. Tip: Put quotation marks around your title to search for that exact phrase.
These books may also help:
Silenced in America: Banned Books in America (2017) [I'm an e-book!]
Books Under Fire: A Hit List of Banned and Challenged Children's Books (2015)
Banned in the U.S.A.: A Reference Guide to Book Censorship in Schools and Public Libraries (2002)
120 Banned Books: Censorship Histories of World History (2005)
Could It Happen Here?
Could it happen here? Of course! These documents outline policy for book challenges and selection in Arlington Public Schools, for your info:
Questions, comments, concerns? Email me at skitsis@arlington.k12.ma.us.
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