Before researching a banned book, you will need some background information about the context of censorship. The articles listed on this page offer explanations of how and why books are banned, and some present the viewpoint that books should not be banned or censored. On the other hand, the article "Book Banning Protects Family Values" supports censorship. Read that article, as well as at least one of the others listed, then consider the following questions:
What is the difference between a challenge and a ban?
What are the goals of book banning?
Does censorship protect or limit freedom? How does the First Amendment fit in?
Do parents have the right to control or limit what a child reads?
Let’s say you object to a particular book, and want it banned from your school or public library. How might you start that process? What obstacles might you face?
Under what circumstances do you think it would be justified to ask for a book to be banned (if any)?
