Banned in the U.S.A.: A Reference Guide to Book Censorship in Schools and Public Libraries / Edition 2

by Herbert N. Foerstel

Overview

Since the first edition was published to acclaim and awards in 1994, librarians have relied on the work of noted intellectual freedom authority Herbert N. Foerstel. This expanded edition presents a thorough analysis of the current state of book banning in schools and public libraries, offering ready reference material on major incidents, legal cases, and annotated entries on the most frequently challenged books. Every section of this work has been significantly rewritten, updated, or expanded to reflect those developments. In-depth accounts of three new landmark book banning incidents are featured, along with a discussion of recent Supreme Court decisions involving censorship on the Internet and in book publishing, and a consideration of their implications for book banning in schools and public libraries.

Two new interviews with authors of banned books—David Guterson and Leslea Newman—join the interviews with authors profiled in the first edition, many of which have been updated. The heart of the book is a Survey of Banned Books, revised with annotated entries on the 50 most frequently challenged books for 1996 through 2000; the Harry Potter series tops the list. Finally, all new appendixes feature an updated ALA list of Most Frequently Challenged Books and Authors Through 2000 and graphs that help to clarify key information.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313311666
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/30/2002
Edition description:	REVISED
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.75(d)
Lexile:	1360L (what's this?)

About the Author

HERBERT N. FOERSTEL is the former Head of Branch Libraries at the University of Maryland, College Park. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Security Archives. He is a noted authority on intellectual freedom and has published seven previous books on the topic for Greenwood Publishing, including Banned in the Media (1998) and From Watergate to Monicagate: Ten Controversies in Modern Jourbanalism and Media (2001).

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
A Survey of Major Bookbanning Incidents
The Law on Bookbanning
Voices of Banned Authors
The Most Frequently Banned Books, 1996-2000
Appendix A: Office for Intellectual Freedom's 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000
Appendix B: Office for Intellectual Freedom's Frequently Challenged Books and Authors of 2000
Appendix C: Office for Intellectual Freedom's Most Frequently Challenged Books and Authors of 1999
Appendix D: Office for Intellectual Freedom's Most Frequently Challenged Books and Authors of 1998
Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

This revised and expanded edition of Foerstel's book, whose first edition drew favorable reviews in 1994, deserves equal attention….Foerstel, a noted authority on intellectual freedom, supplies informative appendixes and an index that make this book a valuable resource for all libraries.” —Choice

“…Foerstel gives an enlightening analysis of censorship in U.S. schools and public libraries….Recommended.” —Library Jourbanal

“Simply put, Banned in The U.S.A is a straightforward and fact-filled resource which should be found on the shelf of every academic and public llibrary in the country.” —MidWest Review

“Provides a survey of major book-banning incidents, legal cases surrounding censorship, interviews with the most censored authors, and an annotated list and discussion of the 50 most frequently challenged books for 1996 through 2000.” —American Libraries

“This is a book that librarians may want on their personal, as well as library shelves….Banned in the USA offers a cautionary tale. The individuals and groups that challenge these books are not to be laughed at. They are earnest and commited, and are often adept at proceeding 'under formal, bureaucratic cover.' Make no mistake the people who challenge books have an impact. Reading through Foerstel's book makes this obvious. Whether in reference or circulation, Banned in the USA is a book that most librarians should own.” —Against the Grain

“This indispensable resource belongs in every library's professional collection. ^BExceptional^R.” —The Shy Librarian

“A valuable reference tool for librarians who are dealing with censorship….Librarians and teachers need this book, but patrons who want to better understand the threats to their First Amendment rights should be led to it as well.” —School Library Jourbanal

“With a breezy, light style, this reference tool begs to be read from cover-to-cover as well. It is a needed purchase even for those who own the previous edition.” —VOYA

From the Publisher

Two recent publications explore the controversial and important issue of censorship in the press and in our schools and libraries. Phillips, editor of Censored 2003, is director of Project Censored, an investigative project conducted out of Sonoma State University studying freedom of information and the media. The project's network of students, faculty, and community evaluators annually assesses and ranks the top 25 news stories not adequately covered by the mainstream press in the preceding year. Stories featured in this year's publication examine controversial issues such as NAFTA, U.S. foreign policy, corporate malfeasance, labor reform, and public health. The source of the press coverage, a brief synopsis of the story, and an analysis of the reporting are included, and instructive essays contributed by scholars and writers examine such topics as grass-roots news and corporate dominance of the media. Two appendixes include a comprehensive directory of independent press publications and a guide to media activist organizations. A fascinating and disturbing look at our nation's media, this work is authoritative, well organized, and exhaustively documented. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries. In the revised and expanded edition of Banned in the U.S.A., Foerstel gives an enlightening analysis of censorship in U.S. schools and public libraries. Provided is a survey of major book-banning incidents in the United States, accessible background material on the legal history of book banning, new and updated interviews with banned writers, and a synopsis of the 50 most frequently challenged books from the period 1996-2000. A selected bibliography of works about censorship is also included. Recommended for school and public libraries that don't own the first edition or need information on challenges after 1996, the only area in which this book was expanded.-Katherine E. Merrill, Rochester P.L., NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

The first edition of this book (Greenwood, 1994) has been a valuable reference tool for librarians and teachers who are dealing with censorship. Since its publication, book banning and Internet filtering issues have risen to epidemic levels. This edition continues with historical references to precedent cases, but updates the material by including in-depth accounts of new challenges to books in "A Survey of Major Bookbanning Incidents," and provides legal analysis of more recent cases in "The Law on Bookbanning." Such legal analysis also includes other First Amendment cases such as the CDA (Communications Decency Act) and COPA (Child Online Protection Act), tried before the Supreme Court in the late 1990s. "Voices of Banned Authors" includes updated remarks from writers such as Judy Blume and Katherine Paterson. Two additional writers have been added: David Guterson, author of Snow Falling on Cedars, and Lesl a Newman, author of Heather Has Two Mommies. The final chapter, "The Most Frequently Banned or Challenged Books, 1996-2000," is completely reworked. Though some titles appeared on the previous list and continue to be an issue in libraries, books like "Harry Potter" now top the list. Librarians and teachers need this book, but patrons who want to better understand the threats to their First Amendment rights should be led to it as well.-Pat Scales, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Having migrated from academic (U of Maryland-College Park) to government (National Security Archives), librarian Foerstel revises and expands his 1994 survey of censorship in US schools and libraries. He reviews the field generally, looks at laws and court decisions, and focuses on particular authors. In the section of the 50 most banned books from 1996 through 2000, newcomer Harry Potter joins such old favorites as , , and . Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews