 | | To read about the challenges against WHALE TALK by Chris Crutcher, click this cover image (for a link to his website). |
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Censorship of YA Literature
Ten Steps to Meet the Challenge
You’ve done your job. You’ve found a work of relevant fiction for teens – a book that will leave them touched and changed and ready to use their ability to think. It’s a skillfully crafted story the kids love and the industry has critically approved. So what’s the problem? One parent doesn’t see value in your selection and she’s challenged its very use.
What next? These ten steps will give you a place to start when it comes to battling the ban of books kids love to read, even if one parent tries to stop a the whole class, school, state, country.
- AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION
It’s a little like closing the barn door after the cows are gone, and it’s not a guaranteed shield against book challenges. But a letter of warning parents about the most potentially controversial elements of a book or a story -- and collecting signed permission slips -- can help you avoid a challenge and garner support if it can’t be prevented. So anticipate the possible concerns and explain why the book’s use of profanity or gritty content is important to the bigger picture story payoff and the honesty of the characters.
- YOUR AIM IS TRUE
Try to anticipate your classes maturity level before you select a book with mature content. Gauge what they like and what they can handle before you assign a book that might start a flame war.
- MAKE CONTACT
If a book is challenged, contact the author and the publisher, expressly asking if their books have been challenged before and if there is any existing material to support your side of the argument. Even if those goods don’t already exist, the author may still be willing to help, if you’re willing to stand by his or her book.
- STOP THE PRESSES
Contact your local newspaper and report the challenge. Most newspaper editors and reporters are helpful allies in any censorship related quandary. BUT...be sure to ask your principal or administrator before you involve the press. Once they are onboard, the stakes jump to a new and higher level.
- GATHER EVIDENCE
Collect reviews, awards, endorsements, publisher press materials, newspaper clips, anything that provides powerful evidence of the book’s value, in spite of or because of the lanuage, content or other questionable goods.
- ORGANIZE YOUR ARMY
One thing you can be sure of, if your selected book is challenged, there is a 50/50 chance an organized “group” is behind the challenge. Organize back, by asking all freedom minded people to attend any challenge meetings open to the public to voice the opposition. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. So SQUEAK loudly and in large numbers. Write letters to editors, call the television stations, TELL SOMEONE. TELL EVERYONE.
- NEVER ACCEPT DEFEAT
Even if you lose your book challenge realizes your students have learned something valuable about democracy and free speech. When you stand up against censorship, stand proud, win or lose.
- LET THEM SPEAK
Once the challenge has come and go, let your students talk about the experience, regardless of the outcome. Use lemons to make lemonade.
- INVITE THE AUTHOR
Consider inviting the challenged author to visit your school when he or she is nearby. It’s a treat for the kids to meet the author challenged, and it gives both the kids and the writer the chance to express how they feel about the banning.
- TRY, TRY AGAIN
As hard as it may seem to use a challenged book, try not to give up. Keep picking meaty literature so your students will walk away with the courage to defy injustice later in life. Only if we fight for them, will our freedoms remain within our reach.
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