As announced in the last newsletter, the Intellectual Freedom Challenge (IFC) is now open to sophomore and junior members of NEHS interested in writing an argumentative essay about the use of a potentially controversial text. Many educators, including librarians, select texts to teach and recommend to adolescents through a lens of “might this be a text some would challenge?” While all of us need to be thoughtful about such selections and have clear rationales about the decisions made concerning curricular texts, all too often books are set aside, limited, or challenged because of content some might dislike. The American Library Association, through its celebration of Banned Books Week each year (September 22-28 this year), along with other organizations like National Council of Teachers of English, urge all to push back against censorship attempts. The IFC, over the years, has generated fine writing from members who believe in the power of literature and the “students’ right to read.” We hope many members will participate this year. The deadline for receipt of the essays is October 7, 2019.
Resources
IFC Award Information
IFC Guidelines and Procedures
Censorship Reading List
2018-2019 Winners
Banned Books Week
