Questions to consider about book challenges and bans
The challenge
- When was the book challenged?
- Where was it challenged?
- Who brought the challenge?
- Who or what was the target of the challenge?
- Why was the book challenged?
- This might include both stated and unstated objections
- What are the superficial or dramatic objections?
- What are the possibly deeper objections?
The book
- What does the book/text ask of the reader?
- What age group is the targeted or general demographic for the text?
Reflection
- At what age are children ready to deal with topics framed for mature readers [?] such as
- Drugs
- Sex
- Gender
- Violence
- Misogyny
- Racism
- Stories that invite the readers to struggle with difficult questions and process troubling events are often challenged. Objections are often framed as justification.
- Does the book invite struggle with a difficult question?
- Can you articulate the essential question?
- Is it openly stated in the text?
- What content might be superficially objected to? What might be a deeper objection, or what deeper message or question might make parents uncomfortable? Are there questions of social justice? Is the author or characters from traditionally underrepresented groups?
Context and culture
- Are there any local culturally specific events, practices, demographics to provide illumination to the challenge?
- What national events and movements provide context?
- Are you more or less comfortable in a culture where difficulties, discrimination, and/or atrocities occur to others and you have the option to turn away? Are you less comfortable with a culture where you cannot, for whatever reason, turn away?
