Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is “censorship”? Why do some people believe it is a good thing, and why do other people think it is a bad thing?

Teaching Suggestion: In Ban This Book, Amy Anne battles against censorship in the form of book banning. Students may have a basic understanding of what censorship is, but they are likely to be confused about the finer points. The resources listed below offer a clear definition of censorship appropriate for student viewing and a balanced overview of the debate surrounding this issue. If your students do not have a great deal of background information to bring to this prompt, you might consider showing them the video and then offering some helpful ideas from your own knowledge as they discuss the pros and cons of censorship.

• This 3-minute video from the American Library Association offers an introduction to censorship.
• This article offers a clear overview of arguments for and against censorship. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing due to length and complexity. Older students, however, may benefit from reading it themselves.