Censorship and Controversy with Luna
Many books are censored because of contrasting religious beliefs, adolescents questioning authority, explicit language, and/or sexuality. Despite Luna's important themes, it can cause a great deal of controversy with parents and administrators if taught in the classroom. If a parent has an issue with his or her child reading Luna, I might offer another book for that student to read that also deals with identity, differences in others, and societal gender expectations (see list below of books that be used in place of Luna). I would explain to the people opposed to Luna my reasons for teaching the novel. It is wrong to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and teaching books like Luna will help students "to think critically, analyze our world, and learn to change it" (Salas, 2004, p. 49). I would also notify parents how teaching the book fits into the school’s curriculum and standards. If they still have an issue with the novel, I might use Luna as a book choice in a literature circle or book club activity, so if a student or their parents do not feel comfortable reading Luna, they can choose a different book. I also would include books like Luna in my classroom library for students to read on their own time for their own interests.
Other Books that Discuss Differences Among People
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee No-No Boy by John Okada The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Haven Eyes by David Almond I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
Other Books on Identity American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang Speak by Laurie Anderson This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
Other Books on Gender Expectations The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Courting Pandemonium by Frederick Barton
Many books are censored because of contrasting religious beliefs, adolescents questioning authority, explicit language, and/or sexuality. Despite Luna's important themes, it can cause a great deal of controversy with parents and administrators if taught in the classroom. If a parent has an issue with his or her child reading Luna, I might offer another book for that student to read that also deals with identity, differences in others, and societal gender expectations (see list below of books that be used in place of Luna). I would explain to the people opposed to Luna my reasons for teaching the novel. It is wrong to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and teaching books like Luna will help students "to think critically, analyze our world, and learn to change it" (Salas, 2004, p. 49). I would also notify parents how teaching the book fits into the school’s curriculum and standards. If they still have an issue with the novel, I might use Luna as a book choice in a literature circle or book club activity, so if a student or their parents do not feel comfortable reading Luna, they can choose a different book. I also would include books like Luna in my classroom library for students to read on their own time for their own interests.
Other Books that Discuss Differences Among People
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
No-No Boy by John Okada
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Haven Eyes by David Almond
I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
Other Books on Identity
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Speak by Laurie Anderson
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
Other Books on Gender Expectations
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Courting Pandemonium by Frederick Barton
A helpful link for defending books and intellectual freedom in the classroom:
NCTE/SLATE Steering Committee on Social and Political Concerns
References
Salas, K. (2004). How to teach controversial material and not get fired. Rethinking Schools.
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