EXAMPLE PD PRESENTATION: Understanding and Addressing Book Challenges in Schools by Deborah Rinio

What is a Book Challenge?

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A book challenge occurs when an individual or group attempts to remove or restrict access to materials, questioning their appropriateness for a school library or curriculum. As your librarian, I want to emphasize that challenges can come from parents, community members, or even school staff. It's crucial to understand that a challenge is different from a selection inquiry and requires formal documentation.

Recent Statistics on Book Challenges

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According to the American Library Association (ALA), 2022 set a record for book challenges. School libraries saw an unprecedented number of challenges, with over 2,500 unique titles being contested. Most challenges targeted books dealing with LGBTQ+ themes, racial issues, and sexual education.

Maps on the Censorship by the Numbers page show which states had the most challenges. In 2024, there were 6 recorded attempts to challenge books, reflecting 9 titles.

Common Reasons for Challenges

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According to the ALA, books are challenged for a variety of reasons including: sexual content, profanity, violence, religious viewpoints, LGBTQ+ content, racial issues, and political viewpoints. Understanding these common triggers helps us prepare appropriate responses while maintaining our commitment to intellectual freedom.

First Amendment Protections

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The First Amendment protects students' right to receive information. Several Supreme Court cases, including Board of Education v. Pico (1982), have established that while schools have discretion in selecting materials, they cannot remove books simply because they disagree with their content.

Schools & Minors' Rights

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The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and American Library Association (ALA) have written various white papers and interpretations of the library bill of rights, which affirm our responsibility to provide materials representing diverse points of view and to resist efforts to censor resources. I encourage all educators to familiarize themselves with these clarifying documents.

Understanding Your District's Policy

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In the Anchorage School District, the school board has given the superintendent the power to designate a procedure for materials to be challenged.

This guide provides information on what someone should do if they wish to request an item to be reconsidered.

If someone wishes an item removed from the school or the district, there is a form they should complete.

Handling Challenge Requests

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We won't watch the video (it's a little long!) but it's here for your reference.

When faced with a challenge: 1) Listen respectfully to concerns 2) Provide the formal reconsideration form (if appropriate) 3) Follow established procedures consistently 4) Document everything 5) Communicate clearly with all stakeholders.

Remember, maintaining professionalism is crucial throughout the process. You are always permitted to encourage someone to speak to your supervisor rather than responding directly.

Building Support Networks

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Connect with professional organizations like ALA, NCTE, and AASL. These organizations provide resources, legal support, and professional guidance during challenges. I recommend joining their mailing lists for updates on intellectual freedom issues in education.

Collection Development Documentation

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Maintain detailed records of your selection process and criteria for your classroom library. Include professional reviews, curriculum connections, and educational value justifications. As your librarian, I can provide templates and guidance for documenting these decisions effectively.

Community Engagement

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Regular communication with parents and community members about your classroom library goals and selection criteria can prevent challenges. Consider hosting information sessions, creating newsletters, or maintaining a list of books to share with parents and families.

Professional Development Resources

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Stay informed through webinars, workshops, and professional literature. The ALA offers excellent training on intellectual freedom and challenge response. I'm always available to coordinate or recommend relevant professional development opportunities.

Banned Book: 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie

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14 year old Arnold Spirit Jr. lives and attends school on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington State. The reservation suffers from poverty, alocholism, and food insecurity. Junior is bullied for for his odd looks, medical issues, and poor eyesight. Junior enrolls in an all-white high school off the reservation in an effort to create a better life for himself, but he faces prejudice at school, and is called a "traitor" at home.

Sherman Alexie's novel has faced bans and challenges for its themes of alcoholism, poverty, and sexuality. In Montana, the book faced challenges in several school districts, with demands for its removal from middle and high school curricula.

Scales, P.R. (2021). Books Under Fire: A Hit List of Banned and Challenged Children's Books. 2nd edition. American Library Association.

Do you know how many book challenges there were in 2024?

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A. 510

B. 2042

C. 934

D. 821

Do you know how many book challenges there were in 2024?

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~~A. 510~~

~~B. 2042~~

~~C. 934~~

D. 821

There were 821 attempts to censor books in schools and public libraries in 2024. 5,813 titles were challenged in those attempts.

Unique titles: 2,451.

Most challenged title: All Boys Aren't Blue

Censorship by the Numbers | Banned Books

Limitations on First Amendment Rights

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However, the Supreme Court has limited minors' rights to receive information in two instances.

Information that is considered "educationally unsuitable"
Material that is consider "indecent" or "obscene"

The Supreme Court has clarified that exposure to a full category of speech cannot be made, that access must be consider item by item. For example, nudity can be obscene but can also be found in art or science for educational purposes.

Banned Book: 'Monster' by Walter Dean Myers

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Monster opens on 16 year old Steve Harmon sitting in his cell at Manhattan Detention Center thinking about how he got there. He describes his fears about violence and sexual assault in the detention center. He tries to convince the reader that he isn't a "monster," as he's been referred to by the attorneys, but as his trial date comes closer he starts to wonder if they attorneys were right about him.

The book was challenged in 2006-2007, 2013, 2019, and 2020 for language, violence, and mature themes.

Scales, P.R. (2021). Books Under Fire: A Hit List of Banned and Challenged Children's Books. 2nd edition. American Library Association.

Have you ever had a book questioned or challenged by a parent?

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Let's role play!

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Join with a partner. Choose a book from the list below. If you aren't already familiar with it, take a look at the book resumeor spotlink linked to the book. Take turns pretending you are a parent concerned about the book, and practice how you might respond.

Here's a list of books that have been challenged that you can use to start your conversation.

Reflection

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What did you learn?

Do you feel more comfortable responding to a book challenge?

What questions do you still have?

Resources

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Banned Books Week is October 5-11, 2025 but you don't have to wait until then to learn more!

Check out the bannedbooksweek.org website for news, resources, and ideas on teaching about censorship.