A teacher in the Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, Texas who had an anti-racism book in her classroom was reprimanded, with the district’s executive director of curriculum and instruction issuing a statement requiring teachers to offer books showing both sides of controversial issues. The administrator stated, “Make sure that if you have a book on the Holocaust, that you have one that has an opposing, that has other perspectives.” Her comment led to a huge outcry by parents, Jewish organizations, and many public officials, leading to an apology by the District Superintendent. There has long been a history of politicians, school administrators, and others attempting to further their personal, political or religious perspectives by controlling the books used for instruction in schools or offered in libraries. Which of the following books was banned, or proposed for banning, and why?

Banned Books Week 2012 by Rod Library is licensed under CC BY 2.0

A. The Baker Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas banned Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl because parents said that the book was pornographic.

B. Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl was challenged in Wise County, Virginia because parents were concerned that Anne’s criticisms of her mother would undermined adult authority.

C. The Culpeper County, Virginia school system banned the The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition because parents complained about the sexual content and homosexual themes.

D. Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp, the United States military prison in Cuba which currently houses fewer than 40 detainees, has banned Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl for unspecified reasons.

E. Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl was challenged by four members of the Alabama State Textbook Committee because the book was “a real downer.”

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