Banned Books Teaching Resources

Use your lesson to provide addess to banned books and promoting critical literacy

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Purdue literacy education does not support censoring literature: we support the freedom to read and learn. This section is a resource for banned and challenged books. Using the resources below, we encourage educators to read and share diverse books, as well as demand that our students from diverse backgrounds possess the right to learn about their own cultures, identities, and experiences. Thanks to the efforts of instructor Inna Abramova, the current banned books teaching resources were created by undergraduate students in the course: Literacy in the Intermediate Grades.

Video-Recording

K-2

prince and knight

by Daniel Haack

Prince & Knight is a children's picture book authored by Daniel Haack and illustrated by Stevie Lewis. Prince & Knight tells the story of a young prince who falls in love with a knight after the two work together to battle a dragon threatening the kingdom. At the conclusion of the book, the two wed. Presented by Brooke Lustick, Allie Conkin, and Alexandra Martin, Purdue Elementary Education students.

Video-Recording

5-6

Something happened in our town

by Celano M., Collins M. & Hazzard A.

Something Happened in Our Town is a story about the White family and a Black family as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man. The book engages young children to think about racial injustice. It models how to talk about race and includes general guidance for teachers and parents. The book provides messages of acceptance and empowerment. Presented by Madeline Wellington, Paige Fulkerson, Annabelle Hock, Jules Short, Hallie Vander-Dussen, undergraduate students in Purdue Elementray Education.

Audio-Only

K-2

I AM JAZZ

by Herthel J. and Jennings J.

I am Jazz is a story that is based on a real-life experience of a girl who “had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body”. From the time Jazz was two years old, she loved pink and dressed up as a mermaid. She did not feel comfortable in boy’s clothing. The doctor explained to the family that Jazz “was born that way”. The book explains to children what it means to be transgender and reminds the readers that similarities, such as a loving family, supportive friends, and the freedom to be true selves, are more important than differences. Presented by Abbi Stinger, Molly Sweeney, undergraduate students in Purdue Elementray Education.

Audio-Recording

4-8

Thirteen reasons why

by Asher J.

Thirteen Reasons Why is a novel about a teenager, Hannah Baker, who committed suicide. Hannah left behind seven double-sided tapes where she detailed the events that led to her suicide and thirteen people who, as she believed, were responsible for her death. The book raises a question of bullying in schools and promotes anti-bullying efforts. The book received several awards and was published in multiple countries. Presented by Katy Carson, Hayley Matlon, Kelly Matsuoka, undergraduate students in Purdue Elementray Education.

Video-Recording

4-6

The diary of Anne Frank

by Anne Frank

SThe Diary of Anne Frank is a journal written by a Jewish teenager who chronicled her family’s frightening experiences of two years of hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1942-1944. The family was arrested in 1944 and was transported to concentration camps where Anne Frank died from typhoid a few months later. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, who survived World War II, published Anne’s diary in 1947. Since then, the book has been translated in more than 70 languages. The book educates young people against racism and discrimination. The main idea is that although people represent different races, they should not be treated differently. The book teaches kindness, love, and sacrifice that help to withstand hatred and cruelty. Presented by Alejandra Garrido, Lillian Green, Maimuna Jalloh, Bailey Tucker, Sarah Beck, undergraduate students in Purdue Elementray Education.