CENSORSHIP CHALLENGE NEWS, March 2006
by Millie Davis, NCTE Director of Communications and Affiliate Services
We received 39 censorship reports from September 1 through December 31, 2005, compared with 30 for the same time period in 2004. In addition to the more than 42 books we know were challenged, we were contacted by a high school in Maryland when a library was directed to remove all the R-rated films from the shelves and two other high schools received challenges to several books in their curricula (listed under Various Books). For two challenges, we joined with the National Coalition Against Censorship and the American Library Association to write letters supporting the retention of the book and decrying the banning. We handled three requests from people seeking resources. They were interested in censorship of blogs, the outcome of the New York State Regents Controversy, and censorship in private schools. Three reporters called seeking information about challenge policies because of challenges in their area—their articles, if still live, will be linked from the appropriate challenge listed below. And, interestingly, I’ve had another call from an individual seeking to censor, in this case, films, another contact from an author whose book was challenged, and one challenge that began just as Hurricane Rita was bearing down on Louisiana, paused for the evacuation and school closing, and picked back up after school reopened.
All who contact NCTE receive e-mail, telephone, or fax responses, followed by other action such as rationales, policies, advice, and letters, when requested. Our Anti-Censorship Web site is the first resource referenced for all who contact NCTE. Many have visited the Web site before calling or filling out a Censorship Challenge Report.
If you are experiencing a challenge to materials or methods, or if you know someone who is, visit http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship and click on the "Report a Censorship Incident" option or call Millie Davis at 800-369-6283, extension 3634 (or 217-278-3634).
***Also note that NCTE now has two CD’s of rationales for challenged challenged texts—see http://www.ncte.org/about/issues/censorship/five/108603.htm ***
Below, listed alphabetically by work, are the cases that were reported from September 1, 2005, to December 31, 2005, with as much information as we have on the challenge.
SOME RECENT CASES
Always Running, Luis Rodriguez (9th Grade), language and pornographic themes. Rationale and information sent.
The Awakening, Kate Chopin (high school MI). Rationale sent.
The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver (high school, MI). Rationale sent.
Beyond the Chocolate War, Robert Cormier (7th/8th Grade School), references that are derogatory to God. Rationale sent and referred to ALA. PARENT DID NOT FILE COMPLAINT AS PER POLICY, SO BOOK REMAINS ON LIST.
Bless Me Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya (10th Grade AP Summer Reading List), language and use of withchcraft. Rationale, information, and letter of support sent. RETAINED.
Bless Me Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya (high school, MI). Rationale sent.
The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison (Accelerated English II-10th Grade, MI), sexual content. Rationale, information, and letter sent.
The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison (9th Grade Honors Independent Reading List, CO), sexual content, disturbing psychological situations. Rationale, information, letter of support sent. BANNED FROM LIBRARIES AND CLASSROOMS OF DISTRICT.
Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger (high school, MI). Rationale sent.
Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko, sex and language. Offered assistance to the teacher.
The Chocolate War, Robert Cormier (9th Grade, PA), language. Rationale and information sent.
Cracking India, Bapsi Sihwal (11th Grade, FL), sex and language.
The Crucible, Arthur Miller (11th Grade, OK), witchcraft, anti-Christian. Rationale, information, and letter of support sent. RETAINED.
The Crucible, Arthur Miller (11th Grade, CA), Rationale and information sent.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, Mark Haddon (10th Grade gifted), language and negative references to Christianity. Rationale and information sent. RETAINED.
Cut, Patricia McCormick (7th Grade -teacher's personal library, PA), two students cut themselves.
Detour for Emmy, Marilyn Reynolds (middle school library, TX), pornography. Referred to ALA. RETAINED.
Drowning Anna, Sue Mayfield. Rationale and information sent. RETAINED--PARENT DROPPED CHALLENGE.
The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things, Carolyn Mackler (MD). Signed on letter with NCAC.
http://www.ala.org/al_onlineTemplate.cfm?Section=alonline&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=111035
Geography Club, Brent Hartinger. (middle and high school libraries). Signed on letter with NCAC. RESTORED ON HIGH SCHOOL BUT NOT MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY SHELVES.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/story/5345992p-39795c.html
Glory and The Titans movies (8th Grade history,), violence and racial language. Parent wanted information—explained anti-censorship policy.
House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros (high school, MI). Rationale sent.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou (9th Grade suggested reading list, VA), rape scene. Rationale sent. PARENT HASN'T FILED FORMAL COMPLAINT SO BOOK REMAINS ON SUGGESTED BOOKLIST AND IN SCHOOL LIBRARY.
Kaffir Boy, Mark Mathabane (high school, MI). Rationale sent.
Maus II, Art Spiegelman (10th Grade English), principal thought reference to "colored people" was inapporopriate. Discussed with teacher. BOOK CENSORED.
Missing the Piano, Adam Rapp (9th Grade supplemental reading list, VA), sexual content; language. Rationale and information sent. BOOK REMAINS ON LIST. PARENT DID NOT COMPLETE THE PROCESS TO HAVE THE BOOK REMOVED.
Night, Elie Wiesel (10th Grade honors, CA), graphic descriptions. Rationale and information sent. RETAINED AS 10TH GRADE NOVEL, PROBABLY WITH PARENTAL NOTIFICATION AS TO CONTENTS.
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck (9th Grade honors independent reading list, VA), "N" word. Rationale and information sent.
Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck (9th Grade English, OH), language and use of Lord's name in vain. Support letter, rationale and information sent. NO FOLLOW UP TO CHALLENGE--TEACHER WILL CONTINUE TO USE BOOK.
“Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas,” Ursula LeGuin (10th Grade English/Social Studies), word “orgy” and naked priests who drink beer. Information sent.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky (11th Grade American Literature, MA), gay sex scene. RETAINED.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky (optional reading list, WI). NCTE Anti-Censorship Web site. RETAINED.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky (AZ), gay sex scene. State superintendent urged all school libraries in the state to remove the book. AZ CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION REVIEWED THE LETTER WRITTEN BY SUPERINTENDENT AND DETERMINED THAT HE VIOLATED NO LAW IN ISSUING THE EDICT.
A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving (12th Grade AP, TX), vulgarity and sex.
R-Rated Films. (libraries in school district), MD. Information sent. http://www.gazette.net/stories/120705/montedu192725_31903.shtml and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/04/AR2006030401133.html
Rumble Fish, S. E. Hinton (reading list, NJ). Information sent. A COMMITTEE WILL EVALUATE ALL REQUIRED AND OPTIONAL NOVELS AND TO WRITE RATIONALES.
Ragtime, E. L. Doctorow (12th Grade college prep). Rationale and information sent. PARENT WITHDREW COMPLAINT.
Shattering Glass, Gail Giles (MO). Rationale sent.
Snow Falling on Cedars, David Guterson (10th Grade literature, GA). Rationale and information sent. RETAINED.
Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison (10th Grade, OH), language, sexual situations and negative presentaion of African Americnas. Rationale and information sent. RETAINED FOR 10TH GRADE.
Speak, Laurie Anderson (MO). Rationale, information, and letter of support sent.
Speak, Laurie Anderson (9th Grade, MN), foul language and gross disrespect. Rationale and information sent.
They Cage the Animals at Night, Jennings Michael Burch (6th Grade, NY), vulgar language. Information sent. RETAINED.
Various books (10th Grade AP, OH), language and sexual content. Rationales and information sent.
Various books (IL). Rationales sent.
When Jeff Comes Home, Catherine Atkins (middle school, TX). Rational and information sent to reporter.
http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-nubook_19met.ART0.State.Edition2.b8ffc8.html
A Yellow Raft in Blue Water, Michael Dorris (high school, MI). Rationale sent.
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