Name:
Date:
Banned Books
You read about the Counter-Reformation and the Index of Forbidden Books, but it is important
to realize that book banning didn’t end in the 16th Century. In fact, book banning continues to
this day.
1. First, read some background information about challenged and banned books.
2. Then examine the lists under Frequently Challenged Books (look under “By Year,” “By
Decade,” and “Banned & Challenged Classics” in the left-hand column).
a. Identify the books you’ve read and write the titles below.
b. Choose THREE of the books you listed above and explain why you think they were
challenged.
c. How does the fact that these books were challenged make you feel?
Name:
Date:
3. Finally, read the following article and answer the questions that follow. Your answers should
be AT LEAST FIVE SENTENCES LONG.
a. What is your reaction to this article?
b. Do you think that the Harry Potter books could have a negative influence on the children
who read them?