Teaching Banned Books

Who hasn't read Blubber? And yet, published in 1974 and a New York Times ""Outstanding Book,"" it remains one of the ""100 Most Frequently Challenged Books"" and is kept out of many school libraries. As a standard-bearer for intellectual freedom, the school librarian is in an ideal position to collaborate with teachers to not only protect the freedom to read but also ensure that valued books with valuable lessons are not quarantined from the readers for whom they were written. In this classroom and library-ready book of discussion guides, award-winning champion of children's literature Pat Scales shows that there is a way to teach these books while respecting all views. The twelve books chosen for inclusion in Teaching Banned Books, all challenged at one time or another, are jumping off points for rich and engaging discussion among young readers, their librarians and teachers, and their parents. Each guide includes a summary of the novel, a pre-reading activity, tips for introducing the topic, critical-thinking discussion questions, and an annotated bibliography of related fiction and nonfiction. Describing a literature discussion program she set up as a middle school librarian, Scales says: ""The idea was to have parents read the same books that their children were reading and to come together once a month to discuss these books. These parents understood that Blubber by Judy Blume is a harsh reality of the life of many fifth and sixth graders. But what they also learned was how to discuss this with their children. They began calling me and asking me for books about teenage sexuality, death, and dealing with bullies. And we never had a censorship case."" And so in this book, you will find discussion guides for books dealing with such tough subjects as societal outcasts, civil rights, and keeping secrets. Armed with award-winning books that kids love, you will: * Stimulate critical-thinking in reading. * Encourage freedom of thought and expression. * Integrate First Amendment principles into project-based social studies and language arts classes. * Communicate the value of banned books to administrators and challengers. There's a win-win way of teaching banned books, and Pat Scales shares it in this brilliant handbook for educators and school librarians who serve today's young readers.