CENSORSHIP CHALLENGE NEWS, April 2005
Millie Davis, NCTE Director of Communications and Affiliate Services

Since Charles Suhor retired as NCTE/SLATE Field Representative in August 2004, I have taken over his responsibilities for working with those experiencing challenges to instructional materials. During the time period of September 2004 through March 2005, censorship reports have held steady. Fifty-two reports came to NCTE—comparable to 51 during the same period the year before. Sixty-three works were actually challenged. Nine books were banned and two were restricted. Several cases remain in progress at this writing.

All who contact NCTE receive e-mail, telephone, or fax responses, followed by other action when requested. Our Anti-Censorship Web site (http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship) is the first resource referenced for all. Many have visited the Web site before calling or filling out a Censorship Challenge Report.

Below, listed alphabetically by work, are the cases that were reported with as much information as we have on the challenge at the time of this writing.

Overwhelmingly, schools and districts that call NCTE have two policies or practices in place—provisions for a substitute work when a student or parent objects, and an established process for orderly review of challenges that arise. Increasingly, schools also have in place formal or informal procedures through which English language arts teachers collegially select works to be studied.

If you are experiencing a challenge to materials or methods, or if you know someone who is, call me, Millie Davis, at 217-278-3634 or visit http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship and click on the "Report a Censorship Incident" option.

To receive regular reports on K-12 censorship cases and other intellectual freedom issues, join SLATE by sending your contribution to SLATE at NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096. Access the online contribution form at
http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/slate/about/107453.htm

SOME RECENT CASES

Angels & Demons, Dan Brown, (7th & 8th grade, TX), religious aspect of story and violence. Resources sent. RETAINED-WITHDREW COMPLAINT.

Athletic Shorts, Chris Crutcher, (WA). Rationale sent. Media: Visit Chris Crutcher’s Web site at http://www.chriscrutcher.com

Athletic Shorts “Telephone Man,” Chris Crutcher, (middle school, MI), language and racism. Rationale sent. Media: Visit Chris Crutcher’s Web site at http://www.chriscrutcher.com/index.2ts?page=michigan05

Bean Trees, The Barbara Kingsolver, (11th grade summer reading list, GA), language and profanity. Rationale and letter of support sent. SUPERINTENDENT REMOVED BOOK FROM SUMMER READING LIST.
Addendum: Parents can request book if they want their child to read it; school board voted to keep reprimands in teacher files.

Blackboy, Richard Wright, (10th grade English, IL), "n" word. Rationale and resources sent. RETAINED-STUDENT ACCEPTED AN ALTERNATE BOOK.

Bless Me Ultima, Rudolph Anaya, (CO), profanity. Rationale sent. BANNED AND DESTROYED.

Bluest Eye, The, Toni Morrison, (9th grade, CA), sexual violence, reduction of characters to animalistic behavior, and inferior role models. Rationale sent.

Bluest Eye, The, Toni Morrison, (CO). Rationale and resources sent. CHALLENGE IN PROCESS.
Addendum: Parent wants book removed from all grades

Bluest Eye, The, Toni Morrison, (12th grade AP, GA), language and adult situations. Rationale and letter of support sent. SUPERINTENDENT REMOVED BOOK FROM SUMMER READING LIST.
Addendum: Parents can request book if they want their child to read it; school board voted to keep reprimands in teacher files.

Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger, (11th grade, NE), sexuality. Rationale and resources sent. RETAINED-NO RESTRICTIONS.

Christmas Carol, A, Charles Dickens, (MN), religion in book. Offered advice and resources.

Color Purple, The, Alice Walker, (11th grade advanced English, VA). Rationale and letter of support sent. RETAINED-POLICY REMAINS THAT PARENT OR STUDENT MAY REQUEST ALTERNATE BOOK.

Crucible, The, Arthur Miller, (10th grade, IL), witchcraft; objectors said play is "against their religion." Rationale and resources sent. RETAINED-ACCEPTED ALTERNATE BOOK.

Fahrenheit 9/11 (film), Michael Moore, (College English Argument-Based Research Class, NC), attacks President Bush. Offered advice and resources. TEACHER WAS SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY.

Fallen Angels, Walter Dean Myers, (independent student book club, OH), language. Rationale and resources sent. BOOK REMOVED-"FORBIDDEN" TO BE USED.

Fifth Child, The, Doris Lessing, (NJ), parent of Down's Syndrome child objects to book. CHALLENGE NOT YET RESOLVED.

Gladiator (movie), (Classical Literature and Philosophy, high school, MI), "R" rated film. Sent NCTE Guidelines for Dealing with Censorship of Nonprint Materials.

Goats, The, Brock Cole, (GA). Rationale sent.

Green Grass Grace, Shawn McBride, (independent book list, PA), objection by a parent. No help requested. PARENT SIGN-OFF SHEET IS PART OF READING LIST.

Hoot, Carl Hisssen, (6th grade, AL), profanity. Sent resources. RETAINED-PARENTS CAN MARK OUT LANGUAGE IN BOOK OR CHOOSE AN ALTERNATE BOOK.

Houghton Mifflin reading series, (kindergarten-3rd grade, CA), district requires only Houghton Mifflin reading series be used for 2 1/2 hours per day of required reading instruction. Offered advice and resources. DECIDED NOT TO CHALLENGE.

House of the Spirits, Isabel Allende, (11th grade optional summer reading list and International Baccalaureate, OH), sexual content. Rationale sent. BOARD APPROVED BOOK.

How the Garcia Girls Got Their Accents, Julia Alvarez, (independent book list, PA), objection by a parent. No help requested. PARENT SIGN-OFF SHEET IS PART OF READING LIST.

Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, (11th grade, TX), "n" word. Rationale and resources sent. RETAINED-PARENT DID NOT PURSUE.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou, (10th grade honors, FL), sexual lauguage and abuse; rape explicit. Rationale sent.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou, (11th grade International Baccalaureate English, WA), profanity and sexual content. Letter of support sent. RETAINED.

Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison, (11th grade honors, NC), sexual content. Rationale sent. RETAINED-NO LIMITATIONS.

Junior Great Book Series: The Veldt, Ray Bradbury, and Props for Faith, Ursula Hegi, (junior high, MD), religion, fantasy, and science fiction. Offered Web resources and letter of support, if needed. Media: “Parents, Clergy Call for Ban on Reading List,” The Washington Times, March 23, 2005 http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20050323-095817-5925r.htm; “School Reading List Controversy,” WJZ 13, March 24, 2005 http://wjz.com/localstories/local_story_083135123.html

Library books on gay marriage and teenage sexuality, (high school, VA), content. Gave advice, including suggestion to also contact ALA.

Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold, (independent book list, PA), objection by a parent. No help requested. PARENT SIGN-OFF SHEET IS PART OF READING LIST.

More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Alvin Schwartz, (library challenge, CA). Rationale and resources sent. RETAINED-APPROPRIATE FOR 4TH-6TH GRADE.

Native Son, Richard Wright, (11th grade AP, CT), masturbation. Rationale sent. RETAINED-ALTERNATE BOOK ACCEPTED.

Native Son, Richard Wright, (10th grade pre-AP, TX), masturbation. Rationale and letter of support offered. NOVEL PULLED FROM CURRICULUM.

Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky, (11th & 12th grade, WI), graphic content. Rationale and letter of support sent. RETAINED -WILL KEEP IN CURRICULUM BUT 9TH AND 10TH GRADERS CAN'T CHECK IT OUT OF THE LIBRARY. Media: “Arrowhead Expands Parent Involvement in Curriculum,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 10, 2005
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/308586.asp; “Candidates Respond to Voters,” Lake Country Reporter, March 24, 2005 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14208532&BRD=1399&PAG=461&dept_id=173065&rfi=6;
“Book Issue Plays Role in Arrowhead Race,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 2, 2005 http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/apr05/314316.asp
Addendum: Stipulations: signed note from parent, offer alternative book.

Plainsong, Kent Haruf, (9th grade, MN), sexual explicitness. Rationale sent. REMOVED FROM 9TH GRADE, BUT NOT RESTRICTED FROM UPPER LEVELS. Media: “School Board Opts Not to Ban Novel,” Pioneer Press, January 10, 2005 http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/11035623.htm

Prince of Tides, Pat Conroy, (11th & 12th grade, MI). Rationale and resources sent.

Rats Saw God, Rob Thomas, (12th grade, OR), profanity and sexual content. Rationale and letter of support sent. RETAINED. Media: "Book censors go on patrol in Clackamas," The Oregonian, January 10, http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/metro_south_news/110518937484021.xml

Ricochet River, Robin Cody, (10th grade, OR), profanity and sexual content. Rationale and letter of support sent. RETAINED. Media: "Book censors go on patrol in Clackamas," The Oregonian, January 10, http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/metro_south_news/110518937484021.xml

Savage Run, C. J. Box, (Guided Reading Program, WY), profanity, "f" word. PULLED FROM READING PROGRAM.

School Drama Policy, (high school, LA), policy does not support literary quality of the play and principal has sole power for choosing review committee and deciding on whether or not to accept their recommendations.

Secret Life of Bees, The, Sue Monk Kidd, (10th grade, LA). Rationale and resources sent. NO ACTION-TEACHER NOT PURSUING.

Shattering Glass, Gail Giles, (9th grade), language. Offered help. ACLU INVESTIGATING.

Shooter, Walter Dean Myers, (independent student book club, OH), homosexual reference and cover illustration. BOOK REMOVED-"FORBIDDEN" TO BE USED.

Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse, (NY). Rationale sent. PARENT DROPPED CHALLENGE.

Silver Kiss, The, Annette Curtis Klause, (junior high). Rationale sent. RETAINED IN LIBRARY BUT NOT REQUIRED READING AT JUNIOR HIGH LEVEL.

Sloppy Firsts, Megan McCafferty, (college adolescent literature course, SC), language and sexuality. Rationale sent. STUDENT ACCEPTED.

Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison, (NC). Rationale sent.

Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson, (high school, FL). Rationale sent.

Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson, (middle school, OH). Rationale sent.

Spite Fences, Trudy Krisher, (junior high, SD), rape, graphic scenes, and language. Advice on listserv for where to get rationale. PRINCIPAL PULLED BOOK.

Stories from Eva Luna, Isabel Allende, (10th grade, AZ). BOOK CENSORED; TEACHER HAD TO APOLOGIZE TO OVER 100 STUDENTS, DISCIPLINARY LETTER PLACED IN FILE.

Sula, Toni Morrison, (11th grade, CA), sexual violence, reduction of characters to animalistic behavior, and inferior role models.

Teen Web sites: www.goaskalice.org and www.plannedparenthood.org, (SD). Suggested investigation of state Web site policy. GOVERNOR SHUT DOWN SD LIBRARY WEB SITE CONTAINING LINKS.

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, (AL). Rationale sent.

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, (IL).

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, (English I, OK), profanity and derogatory language. Rationale and letter of information sent. CHALLENGE DROPPED.

Trouble River, Betsy Byars, (high school, MI). Rationale sent.

Warmest December, The, Bernice McFadden, (11th & 12th grade, LA), alcoholism and child abuse. Referred to resources.

Watchers, Dean Koontz, (9th-12th grade, WY), content. Challenge reported after the fact. PULLED FROM READING PROGRAM.

Who Killed My Daughter?, Lois Duncan, (10th grade, OR), profanity and sexual content. Rationale and letter of support sent. RETAINED-CHALLENGE DROPPED.