Introduction
Banned books have been prohibited from being published or circulated by a government authority, usually on the grounds of religion, politics or public morality. Many books, such as Lolita, Dr. Zhivago and even Harry Potter, have withstood such condemnation and gone on to become beloved classics.
Task
The majority of the books featured each year on the American Library Association website (http://www.ala.org) are challenged in countless libraries. When a book is being challenged, it is an attempt to ban or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. Your task is to choose one book from the given list and create a PowerPoint presentation on the book you have chosen to research.
Process
1. Choose a book from the list on the board after choosing your number.
2. You will explore and take concise notes, retriving information from the Internet about your book.
3. You will also discuss your view on the banning/challenging of books.
4. You will create a PowerPoint presentation with at least 5 slides containing research information. Your PowerPoint must contain AT LEAST five slides featuring: 1. Title, author, and cover of your story, 2. a brief synopsis of your story, 3. information/facts/history about the author of your story, 4. where and why the book has been challenged, and 5. your point of view on the banned/challenging of books, specifically the book you reserched as well.
5. You will present your PowerPoint presentation to class on Tuesday, January 10.
Suggested websites:
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics
http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/censorship/bannedbooksthatshapedamerica
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-most-banned-books-youn…
https://www.ila.org/initiatives/banned-books-week/books-challenged-or-b…
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1. Research content 2. Oral report 3. PowerPoint Presentation 4. Task responsibility Each criterion will be weighed evenly, so use your time wisely!
Conclusion
Reading banned books celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular. It also stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them (ALA website, c 2004). One person viewing a book as inappropriate for other patrons is not fair or just. That is why the First Amendment exists and we must protect that right, the right to basic intellectual freedom. Guidelines do exist for Librarian’s to buy books that make a complete and well-rounded collection.
Credits
Teacher Page
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