Introduction

You live in the small community of Pebbleview, which has approximately 2,500 people. The Pebbleview High School’s reading list for its literature classes is being challenged. Several parents (although it only takes one) are arguing to have books banned from the school’s reading list. Among the books being challenged are: J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Paul Zindel’s The Pigman, William Golding’sThe Lord of Flies, and Robert Cormier’s The Chocolate War. The school board is holding a special meeting to discuss whether or not these books should be banned from the school’s required reading list. After assuming the role of teacher, parent, or student, you must be able to defend your position to the school board in the form a short (five to ten minute) presentation.

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Task

Within your literature circles, divide yourselves into two groups of three. Three of you will be defending the use of the book in school. Three will be arguing to have the book banned from the school’s reading list. Each group must have someone acting as a teacher, a parent, and a student.

As you start this project, consider the following:

Á All of the books that are being challenged have characters that are considered “outsiders”, or people who, for whatever reason, are not seen as a regular member of society. Is there a connection between banned books and the character portrayed as the outsider? If so, why is there a connection? What is it about the particular character that makes people uncomfortable?

Á Besides the characters, what else is it about the book that makes it objectionable?

Á The First Amendment, regardless of the position that you are going to take, usually plays a large role in arguments about challenged and banned books. Everyone in the group should be able to define the First Amendment and argue its importance with regard to the challenged book.

Á Recognize that each member within your group will be arguing from a different perspective. Even though their will be two people arguing as teachers, one will be arguing against having the book banned, and the other will be arguing for having the book banned. Also, while three people will be arguing to keep the book on the reading list and three will be arguing to have it removed from the list, all will be arguing from different perspectives. How would a teacher view the book differently from a parent? Why would a student’s viewpoint on keeping or banning a book differ from their parents’ or teacher’s viewpoint?

Á Remember – You have discussed this book in your literature circle. Consider discussions and arguments that you may have had with your fellow students while in your circles. You have read this book. You know this book. Use these things to make your argument personal and powerful.

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Process

Each student must do the following:

Á Define the First Amendment

Á Give four specific reasons why the book either should or should not be banned. Three of these reasons must be directly related to the book being banned from schools. Students are encouraged to find schools that have already had the book challenged. In addition to the three arguments that you find online, you must use one argument that stems from your own personal beliefs. Please include page numbers from the book that show the specific sections that hold the objectionable material.

Á Once you have your four arguments, they need to be organized for the presentation. The presentation can be done following a simple outline. Start with a short introduction that states who you are and why you do or do not want the book banned. Then proceed in detail with your arguments. End your argument with a brief conclusion that ties everything together. An example is given below.

Á Remember to argue from your specific character’s viewpoint.

Á Remember to cite everything. Any information that you use in your argument that is not your own needs to be cited. The presentation that you give will be turned in and must list sources that you used.

Example: Introduction: As a mother, I believe that Lord of the Flies should be read in school for the following four reasons- List your four arguments here.

Body: The first reason the book should be read is…Continue with all your examples.

Conclusion: As parents, I believe we should encourage the teaching of Lord of the Flies for the following reasons…

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Resources

There are several good resources to help you as you look for information. To search within a particular site, try using keywords such as “censorship”, “banned books”, the title of your book, and the author of your book.

American Library Association has information on banned books, the First Amendment, and offers links to other sites that could help you. They also have an “Issues and Advocacy” section that may be helpful

The Internet Public Library has “kidspace” and “teenspace” sections. These sections both have subsections that focus on literature. They offer background information on authors and books. It is also possible to search IPL’s regular site for information regarding your book.

Freedom Forum is a non-profit organization that focuses on the First Amendment. A search for keywords retrieves articles and information that give specific details of schools who have banned books and why.

Searching The National Council of Teachers of English produces more information on schools that have been challenged, why, and if the challenge resulted in a ban. It also has information under “adolescent literacy” about books and authors.

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Evaluation

You will be graded on several different aspects of this project, including: your work on the presentation, the presentation you give, and a copy of your presentation, which will be turned in as a paper. As you are working on your project ask yourself:

Á Am I arguing from the role that I am supposed to be playing? Are my arguments specific to this role?

Á Can I explain the First Amendment and use it to defend my position for either banning the book or supporting its use?

Á Do I have four arguments in my presentation, including one personal argument?

Á While considering the book being challenged, did I look at the role the “outsider” character plays in the book’s challenge?

Á Do I have my presentation typed, checked for errors, with any borrowed information properly cited?

Rubric

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Conclusion –The Power of One

After completing this assignment, you may have discovered a connection between the “outsider” and the book being challenged. You have seen how serious challenges and bans need to be taken. The characters in our challenged books were individuals that in some way changed the community around them. The roles that you played were also characters changing their community. Whether you support a challenge or whether you oppose it, you should be able to defend yourself and your beliefs. The goal of this webquest was to help you learn not only about your book, but also your rights and how you, just one person, will make a difference in your community.

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Last revised: December 2, 2004

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