The SHOULDN'T READ LiST-
Needs Parental Knowledge and Consent
Read the Book Reports
MISLEADING MESSAGE
1984 by George Orwell
Interpretations of 1984 by George Orwell often overlook core themes of a dystopian society and totalitarian control. The novel serves as a warning against the erosion of truth. The Pavement Education Project supports the use of this book with mature students, late in high school.
Here are some of the main themes:
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Totalitarianism and Oppression is depicted in a society under the iron grip of the Party, led by Big Brother, who exercises absolute control over every aspect of life.
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Surveillance and Loss of Privacy occurs through constant monitoring via telescreens, hidden microphones, and the Thought Police.
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The Party manipulates truth, rewrites history and controls information to maintain power as the book shows how truth can be distorted to serve political ends.
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Individualism is crushed by collective power.
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The Nature of Reality and Truth is altered by the ability of the Party to alter facts to challenge the existence of objective truth, leaving individuals powerless to resist.
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Psychological control is achieved through propaganda and mechanisms that manipulate emotions and thoughts to maintain loyalty to The Party and suppress dissent.
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Language is weaponized to restrict expression and ideas.
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Alienation and isolation is the norm because genuine relationships and trust are nearly impossible.
The truth is that the no one in our movement is intent on "banning books." For the reasons stated above, 1984 is recommended reading for mature teens. However parents should be notified by letter and/or email regarding whenever sensitive content is considered for use.
Parents expect educators to curate book collections to make them suitable for the students they serve. What is the real motive for introducing and promoting content that could harm children and teens? Why do numerous books introduce themes of pornography, violence, drug abuse, and excessive profanity, while also misrepresenting the definitions and distinctions between a man and a woman? Parents need to do their own research, consult rating organizations such as PavementEducationProject.org, RatedBooks.org, or PluggedIn.com before deciding if their child will participate in lessons with content if they have concerns.
North Carolina School Library and Media Association Support Banned Books Week
North Carolina Association Encourages Banned Book Week 2024
This is a copy of a letter that the North Carolina School Library Media Association. Read about the various ways media specialists can celebrate Banned Books Week with public school students.
NCSLMA Members,
Banned Books Week is this week, September 22-28! Please explore THIS INFOGRAPHIC for some ideas on how you can celebrate with your students.
Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to an uptick in book challenges faced by libraries, bookstores, and schools. No one could have ever imagined that number would continue to grow to the frightening level we have seen during the past few years. We celebrate this week every year to help our students and patrons understand the importance of tolerance, respect, representation, and diversity in the printed words that surround us.
Celebrating our right to read looks different for different levels. We hope some of these resources help you find an appropriate way to celebrate with your students! Here are a few things to consider as you plan:
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Rather than focusing on book bans, celebrating lower elementary students’ right to read might look more like a celebration of variety in your library collection. What if one day is all about the books in your library that feature the word “blue” in the title? Maybe another day is all about schools as a setting? And maybe yet another day is all about books that feature a bear as the main character? Displays, signage, and props can make it a great week to show off the collection!
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Upper elementary students might benefit from displays that showcase the gender, cultural, and racial diversity in your collection. Let them see themselves featured in a colorful display of awesome books!
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Middle school is ready to broach the subject of book banning. A display of age-appropriate, frequently challenged books can spark wonderfully complex discourse. They’ve got good questions. Answer them.
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For obvious reasons, the highest number of challenges are aimed at young adult books. They are most likely to feature the themes, characters, and events that some parents, administrators, and school boards find uncomfortable. That is understandable, and it also makes high school the perfect place to let students take the lead with Banned Books Week. Let them research the challenges and the whys. Let them choose the best way to showcase the books. Let them talk about the policies we have in place to ensure quality, appropriate literature for them. Let them ask you why you do -- and do not -- have certain titles in your collection. Then let them talk to the adults in their lives about all of it.
There is a lot of uncertainty in our profession these days. There are a lot of distractions and extra responsibilities that sometimes make us forget why we wanted to become librarians. Banned Books Week can be a week to get back to one of the coolest parts of our jobs – helping students discover the freedom that can be found within the pages of a book. Happy Banned Books Week 2024!
Sincerely,
Lucy Wilcox
NCSLMA Advocacy & Governance Director
Check these NC School Websites, Links, and videos
Durham County School
Guilford County School
Wake County School
Books can take children on new and exciting adventures, inspire them, and challenge them to be the best they can be. Books should be safe and developmentally appropriate, specially selected to support the curriculum and interest levels of the students.
If you believe a book is unsuitable for children at your child's school, you should contact the school administrators. You will be able to challenge the book and it's placement in your child's school. We encourage you to also reach out to your legislators with your concerns. In our experience, some schools and districts are more responsive to parents than others. Legislators have it within their power to pass legislation protecting children that includes enforcement which is sorely needed in NC statute.
