Lesson Plan

Why are Children’s and Young Adult Books Challenged and Banned?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

September's "Banned Books Week" brings attention to the number of books that are challenged, censored, or banned each year. After watching a video about banned book week, reading articles about the history of book banning, and examining the "Top 10 Most Challenged Book Lists," groups select a year, investigate the top ten books banned that year, and the reasons for the banning, then select one book to read as a group. Groups then report their findings in a whole-class discussion.

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CCSS: Designed
Instructional Ideas
  • Have groups investigate their school's, parents', library's, and community's rules and reasonings about banned books
  • Enlarge, color print, and post the "Reasons for Challenges" graphic
Classroom Considerations
  • Many schools require teachers to provide alternatives to books parents object to and or to permit their student to be excused from lessons about these books; check your school's policy before proceeding with this lesson
  • Requires projection equipment to view the YouTube video and copies, one per participant, of the "Challenge Books Worksheet"
Pros
  • The lesson raises awareness of the reasons why books are challenged, censored, or banned
Cons
  • None