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1. Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park

2. This book series has been challenged due to the speech patterns of the character, because it encourages children to speak like her.

3. I don't think it should be challenged due to speech patterns. Kids are known to create new words and express themselves in different ways. If you limit a child's speech you are taking away their voice and their ability to freely express themselves and be creative.

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Name of banned or challenged book:

A Light in the Attic, poems and drawings by Shel Silverstein

Share why it was banned or challenged: Originally published in 1981, it was first challenged in a Florida school in 1993 because it promoted disobedience, violence, Satan, cannibalism, and suicide. It continued to be challenged and banned for similar reasons. (https://bookstr.com/article/silverstein-light-in-the-attic-banned/)

Share your personal opinion! Was the book rightfully banned or challenged? Why or why not?
My neighbor had this book when I was a kid and it always seemed to be just lying around. I thought it looked like a strange book and was not really interested in the poems; they did not seem like my preferred genre, although I did end up reading most of it over time. My neighbor loved it, though! She memorized most of the poems and loved Shel Silverstein. It really got her excited about reading, so as a teacher, I can absolutely appreciate that. I can see how the "strange-ness" of some of the poems could scare some children, and even be red flags for some parents, but I do not believe it renders banning. Like most books, I see an audience that can benefit from the content of this book, and an audience that could just take a pass on the book as a whole.

-Charlene Brenneise

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The Family Book by Todd Parr (Hannah Smith)

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The Family Book by Todd Parr (Hannah Smith)

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The Family Book by Todd Parr was banned in Illinois due to parents objecting to a specific page in the book showing representation of LGBTQ parents. I completely disagree with the banned status of this book for many reasons. The biggest one is that I believe representation for all students is important. Our student bodies are made up of all types of people and families. I do not think it is ok to exclude materials that support inclusiveness of all our students because of the opinions of a few. In addition I find it very hypocritical of the parental group to state that this book promotes "homosexual agendas" when our youth are constantly surrounded by heterosexual examples and discussions. Instead we should create safe environments that support all families and to make space for the LGBTQ community to feel included and represented on our campuses.

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This Novel is about a transgender girl named Melissa who the world sees her as George. It accounts Melissa's desire to star in her 4th grade's school play of Charlotte's Web as the titular female lead. It also tells of Melissa's emotions as she goes through her life wanting to express to the people that she loves that she is a girl, but truly afraid of what they might say.

In 2016 and 2017, the book was challenged because of its inclusion of a transgender child. In 2018, the book was challenged because it was believed to change their bodies using hormones". In 2019, the piece was challenged for its LGBT+ content, use of sexual references, and for conflicting “traditional family structure”. George is the 5th most banned book through 2010 and 2020.

I think people have the right to their own opinions and beliefs and banning a book like this one can be quite controversial. However, books are meant to be a resource for people and I would like to think that this would be a great book for a kid who is struggling with their identity similar to Melissa in this novel.

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“A Light in the Attic” by Shel Silverstein

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“A Light in the Attic” by Shel Silverstein

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First banned in a Florida school in 1993 and challenged in other US schools throughout the 1980s and 90s because the poems were seen as promoting disobedience, violence, suicide, Satan and cannibalism.
Some believe that this was actually a ban on the poet because he had made illustration contributions to Playboy magazine. People though the images in the poems were intentionally suggestive.
The most challenged poems in the collection are “HOW NOT TO HAVE TO DRY THE DISHES” and “LITTLE ABIGAIL AND THE BEAUTIFUL PONY”

Personally, as a child of the 90s, I was not aware of the conflict with this book. I loved these poems. They were entertaining poems that captured the sense of imagination children have in their perceptions of the world. They helped inspire children to try their own poetry. I don’t believe they ever inspired me to be disobedient or rebellious with my parents. As a teacher, I believe children have discernment when reading about “naughty” characters. In fact, I view it as a means to understand the consequences of poor choices without actually having to experience them.
Kelly

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3. It was banned for, "referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual cursed and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals."

4. I think this is ridiculous. If parents have strong feelings about something it is their job to teach their children their beliefs. I think the banning of any book is wrong. One group of parent's opinions does not reflect the world. If you do not want your child reading about magic, set boundaries for your child. If your child does not follow them, that is your parenting fault and your problem. That is personal business that needs to be resolved.

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2. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
3. It was banned in 1988 for being a cynical interpretation of the tree’s selfless giving as “sexist content”.
4. I don't see how a story of a selfless tree giving to a loving boy as a bad concept. Being represented as a cynical interpretation of sexism, is shocking to me. I don't agree with it being banned at any time. I think it is a cute, and appropriate story for ages 1-8.

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I decided to stick with the book The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, because I had already done research on it.

This book was 1st banned by a Texas School District in 2017.  It was stated that the book promoted police violence and racism.  It also contained a lot of profanity.

I agree with the profanity in the book but I have read much worst. I think this book opened up doors that many people try to keep closed to avoid education on race, healing and mending differences, and taking the lives of others with little causes.

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This book was challenged in 2006 by parents who thought the talking animals were disrespectful to God.

I do not agree with this challenge. Personification of non-human characters is typical in children's literature without any intention to be offensive to religion. Imagine how many stories we heard as a child, have shared with our own children, and will continue to share with our students if we couldn't read any books with talking animals! I find children relate to animals rather quickly, and this novel would be a shame to have been banned. I loved this story about loyalty and friendship!

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1. The challenged picture book I am choosing to talk about is Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love.

2. This book is challenged/ banned because it shows the growth of a young boy (Julián) into becoming his true self - a mermaid (symbolically a member of the LGBTQ community). This picture book shows the transformation of Julián into a mermaid to represent his coming out journey. He begins the story dressed in a white tank top and shorts and ends the story wearing no shirt, a curtain as a mermaid tail, lipstick, a pink pearl necklace, and a plant as a headdress. He is arriving at what appears to be the Coney Island Mermaid Parade and there are land mermaids (drag queens) all around.

3. I personally loved this book! It is beautifully illustrated and is subtle enough that I think most adults understand that the young boy wants to be a drag queen, but many children may take the writing literally and think that Julián really wants to be a mermaid. There are aquatic images that could suggest the literal meaning. I also love that his Abuela (grandmother) accepts Julián for who he is after her initial shock and she gives him the peace offering of a pearl necklace and takes him to the drag parade. It is a nice story of accepting someone who may be different than you are.

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3.This book was banned in several US school systems since it may promote witchcraft.
4. I do not agree why this book was banned. I mean ok, a talking pot making food could be a witch, but it is a children’s tale and is meant to be for fun not to instill any dark images.

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3. Share why it is banned or challenged.
This book was challenged and restricted due to it featuring a gay marriage and representing LGBTQIA+ content.

4. Share your personal opinion. Was the book rightfully banned or challenged? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
I personally do not think this book should be banned just because it features a gay marriage. We read plenty of books and watch plenty of movies featuring "straight" relationships, what is wrong with seeing other relationships represented in the same format/way? Although I ask this rhetorically, I understand the differing view: people not wanting their child to be exposed to this content, people disagreeing with this life style. This can pose a valid argument; however, what a better way to be exposed to this community through a child friendly book in a classroom environment. Children will be exposed to the LGBTQIA+ community at some point in their lives, whether it be via social media or out in the "real world" at some point. Banning this book, to me, seems like we are only pushing the narrative that it is wrong and shameful to be apart of this ever present community.

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Please choose a book from the website. Once you do so please answer the 3 following questions. 

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Please choose a book from the website. Once you do so please answer the 3 following questions. 

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1. Choose a banned or challenged book.
2. Write the name of the book and provide a picture of the cover.
3. Share why it is banned or challenged.
4. Share your personal opinion. Was the book rightfully banned or challenged? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?

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Shhhh! These Kid’s Books Have Been Banned (or Challenged) - Evanston Public Library

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Yes, we know what you’re thinking - even kids books get challenged, too. This is why every year, the American Library Association hosts a week-long event to celebrate the freedom to read and promotes all the books that have been challenged over the years.