SCRIPT: Introduction Sheila: The freedom to read is essential to our democracy, and reading is among our greatest freedoms.

Our privacy is essential to the exercise of that freedom, and the right to privacy is the right to open inquiry without having the subject of one's interest examined or scrutinized by others. The freedom to read is protected by our Constitution. Some individuals, groups, and public authorities work to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label "controversial" views, to distribute lists of "objectionable" books or authors, and to purge libraries of materials reflecting the diversity of society. Both governmental intimidation and the fear of censorship cause authors who seek to avoid controversy to practice selfcensorship, thus limiting our access to new ideas. Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of American society and leaves it less able to deal with controversy and difference. Americans still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression, and can be trusted to exercise critical judgment, to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe, and to exercise the responsibilities that accompany this freedom. Intellectual freedom is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture. Conformity limits the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend. The American Library Association's Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year as a reminder to Americans not to take their precious freedom for granted. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them; now and forever. Vincent Interview: Sheila: Do you think books should be banned from schools? Vincent: I believe that if books contain anything with sex or profanity they should definitely be removed from schools. The children today will learn soon enough about these things from the world. Sheila: How do you feel about Huckleberry Finn? Vincent: This is a classic book. It teaches children how things used to be and how they are different today. Sheila: This book has been banned from schools. Do you think it should be? Vincent: For elementary school students, yes it should be because it is above their reading and maturity levels. They would not be able to understand it. For middle and high schools, no, this book should still be available and can be used as a learning tool.

Twilight skit: Direction: Cassie is in the hammock reading Twilight while Lauren sneaks up on her and then joins her for a conversation. Cassie: reading Lauren: sneaks up behind her and shakes the hammock. Lauren: What are you doing Cassie? Cassie: Im reading the book Twilight. My mom doesnt like for me to read it because it has vampires and werewolves in it. Lauren: Why are you reading it? Cassie: I like it. I think its all about crushes, cliques, and teenagers.

Harry Potter skit: Direction: Cassie is interviewing Michael. Cassie: Welcome Michael Burkett. Today we are talking about books. Do you think books should be banned? Michael: I personally believe that no book should be banned. It interferes with our ability to learn and grow and also steps on our freedom of speech. Cassie: A popular book that is being challenged is the Harry Potter series. What do you think about Harry Potter being banned? Michael: I can see where some people would have a problem with the magic but everyone knows it just fantasy. Cassie: Do you think Harry Potter should be banned from schools? Michael: I can see it being banned at elementary schools due to the fact that violence and fantasy material as well as challenging materials. For middle schools and high schools, it should not be banned. It could help students with reading skills with the larger vocabulary. Cassie: Thank you for visiting with us today and talking about Harry Potter.

Hunger Games skit: Lauren and Cassie are talking together during lunch

Lauren: Cassie did you know there are books being banned. Cassie: No I didnt. Lauren: Even the books about the Hunger Games that weve been reading are being banned. What do you think? Cassie: I had no idea the Hunger Games would be banned. I wonder why? Lauren: Well, I was told it was because the books were against families and had violence and profanity in them. Cassie: I like these books. I dont think theyre any worse than some of the video games that are being played. Lauren: We have to go back to class. Thanks for talking with me! Cassie: Bye.