Dear Parents
The final book report of the year will be based on a subject that has come
up repeatedly in our discussion of literature. Many books have been challenged
in schools and outright banned because of their content. The three novels we
have already read in class were all challenged at one time. (To Kill a Mockingbird
by H. Lee, Flowers for Algernon by D. Keys, and Night by E. Wiesel) The students
have become interested in the topic and have asked why a particular book has
been banned. For our final book report, students will be required to select a book
off the American Library Association’s list http://www.ala.org/bbooks/ of top 100
banned books, read it and research as to why it has been banned or challenged.
In class we will examine Dekalb County policy and continue the discussion. I am
asking all parents to review the list with their child and select a book. Please fill
out the Parent Permission form attached and sign, giving your child permission to
read the book.
If you choose not to have your child participate in this project, another
book, chosen by your student and approved by me, may be read. Students will
have to prepare an alternative book report as attached.
The project will be due on Thursday April 13th
I have attached
Parent Permission slip
the rubric by which the project will be graded
Alternative book report format
The list of banned books from the American Library Association
Please review this information with your child, select a book, and return the
permission slip by Monday March 20th
Thank you for all you do,
Heidi Schreiber
Permission Form due Monday March 20th
Banned/Challenged Book Project Period________
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/
My child___________________________________
____has permission to read ___________________
__________________________________________
for the project.
_____does not have my permission to participate.
He/She will read____________________________
and complete the alternative project.
Parent Name_______________________________
Signature__________________________________
Date______________________________________
Banned /Challenged Book Project Name_________________________
Due Thursday April 13th Period____________________
Title_______________________________
Author_____________________________
This past year we have been reading a variety of books and stories and we have
found that they have been banned and challenged in a variety of places. For this
book report, choose a book from the American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/
lists of banned and challenged books. Work with your parents and get their
approval. Read the book and do research as to why the book was
banned/challenged. Go through the list of quotes distributed and discussed in
class and find one that you find meaningful. Write a one paragraph summary of
the book and then discuss why the book was banned/challenged. Look at the
book through the lens of your quote. Final paper should be 2 pages, double
spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman.
_____10% Book Choice Title/Author
_____20% Summary Paragraph
_____60% Discussion (Paper)
_____10% Formatting
Alternative Book Report
Name___________________________ Period____________
Write a 2 page summary of the book. Include setting (time and place), characters
(minimum of 5 with description), and plot—what happened. Also tell me if you liked
the book and if you would recommend this book to another student. (1 paragraph
recommendation)
Grading Rubric:
_____Title/Author 10%
Title______________________________
Author____________________________
_____Setting 10%
Time _________________________
Place _________________________
_____Characters (mim. 5) 20% Main (m) and supporting (s):
_____Story map/Plot line 50%
Beginning/Middle/End Rising action/Climax/Falling Action
_____Recommendation (1 paragraph) 10%
http://www.ala.org/bbooks/
Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-
2009
1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
2. Alice series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
3. The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
4. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
7. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
8. His Dark Materials (series), by Philip Pullman
9. ttyl; ttfn; l8r g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
11. Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers
12. It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
13. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
14. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
15. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
16. Forever, by Judy Blume
17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
18. Go Ask Alice, by Anonymous
19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
20. King and King, by Linda de Haan
21. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
22. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
23. The Giver, by Lois Lowry
24. In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
25. Killing Mr. Griffen, by Lois Duncan
26. Beloved, by Toni Morrison
27. My Brother Sam Is Dead, by James Lincoln Collier
28. Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
29. The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney
30. We All Fall Down, by Robert Cormier
31. What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones
32. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
33. Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson
34. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler
35. Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging, by Louise Rennison
36. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
37. It’s So Amazing, by Robie Harris
38. Arming America, by Michael Bellasiles
39. Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane
40. Life is Funny, by E.R. Frank
41. Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher
42. The Fighting Ground, by Avi
43. Blubber, by Judy Blume
44. Athletic Shorts, by Chris Crutcher
45. Crazy Lady, by Jane Leslie Conly
46. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
47. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby: The First Graphic Novel by George Beard and Harold
Hutchins, the creators of Captain Underpants, by Dav Pilkey
48. Rainbow Boys, by Alex Sanchez
49. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, by Ken Kesey
50. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
51. Daughters of Eve, by Lois Duncan
52. The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson
53. You Hear Me?, by Betsy Franco
54. The Facts Speak for Themselves, by Brock Cole
55. Summer of My German Soldier, by Bette Green
56. When Dad Killed Mom, by Julius Lester
57. Blood and Chocolate, by Annette Curtis Klause
58. Fat Kid Rules the World, by K.L. Going
59. Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
60. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
61. Draw Me A Star, by Eric Carle
62. The Stupids (series), by Harry Allard
63. The Terrorist, by Caroline B. Cooney
64. Mick Harte Was Here, by Barbara Park
65. The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
66. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor
67. A Time to Kill, by John Grisham
68. Always Running, by Luis Rodriguez
69. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
70. Harris and Me, by Gary Paulsen
71. Junie B. Jones (series), by Barbara Park
72. Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
73. What’s Happening to My Body Book, by Lynda Madaras
74. The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold
75. Anastasia (series), by Lois Lowry
76. A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
77. Crazy: A Novel, by Benjamin Lebert
79. The Upstairs Room, by Johanna Reiss
80. A Day No Pigs Would Die, by Robert Newton Peck
81. Black Boy, by Richard Wright
82. Deal With It!, by Esther Drill
83. Detour for Emmy, by Marilyn Reynolds
84. So Far From the Bamboo Grove, by Yoko Watkins
85. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher
86. Cut, by Patricia McCormick
87. Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume
88. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
89. Friday Night Lights, by H.G. Bissenger
90. A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle
91. Julie of the Wolves, by Jean Craighead George
92. The Boy Who Lost His Face, by Louis Sachar
93. Bumps in the Night, by Harry Allard
94. Goosebumps (series), by R.L. Stine
95. Shade’s Children, by Garth Nix
96. Grendel, by John Gardner
97. The House of the Spirits, by Isabel Allende
98. I Saw Esau, by Iona Opte
99. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, by Judy Blume
100. America: A Novel, by E.R. Frank
