BAN THIS BOOK - DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

1.    What does it mean to “ban” something? Have you ever encountered a ban in your home, school, or community? Can you think of something you would like to see banned? Can you think of something that you feel would be terrible to ban?

2.        What is Amy Anne’s favorite book and why does she love it?

3.        What things trouble Amy Anne about her family life? What advice might you give to Amy Anne about dealing with her sisters and about getting her parents to understand her concerns?

4.        Why can’t Amy Anne speak up for herself? Do you have the same problem?

5.        What are the main reasons Amy Anne is upset by Mrs. Spencer’s decision to remove books from the school library? If you had been a student at Shelbourne Elementary, would you have been upset about this situation? Why or why not?

6.        At the School Board meeting, what does Amy Anne do (or fail to do) before the vote about removing books from the library?

7.        With whom is Amy Anne partnered for the Bill of Rights school project? What upsets her about this situation?

8.        What is Amy Anne’s big idea in the chapter titled “The Big Idea”? Do you think it is a good idea? Why or why not? Which of Amy Anne’s classmates help the idea to grow even bigger until it becomes the B.B.L.L.?

9.        Were you surprised by Amy Anne’s attitude in the chapter titled “The Banana Room”? What thoughts or emotions is Amy experiencing in this scene? What order does Amy Anne receive from Principal Banazewski at the chapter’s end?

10.    In “Tools of the Trade,” what does Amy Anne learn about library science that helps her improve the B.B.L.L.? 

11.    Who does Amy Anne hold responsible for getting her suspended? Who is really responsible and why? What emotions does Amy Anne feel when she learns this truth?

12.    What plan does Amy Anne make in the chapter “The Biggest Idea”? Which character surprises her by helping her make this plan?

13.    What book does Amy Anne mention to Mrs. Spencer that changes the direction of the second School Board meeting? How did Amy Anne discover Mrs. Spencer’s relationship to this book? How does this revelation affect your attitude toward Mrs. Spencer?

14.    I n the course of the novel, Amy Anne learns to speak up for herself. What other characters find ways to better express themselves as the story comes to an end? How does the fight against banning books particularly help these characters find their own strengths?

 

15.    Do you agree with Amy Anne’s statement that “. . . for all the amazing things books can do, they can’t make you into a bad person”? If you agree, then why does anyone believe that books can be dangerous?

16.    Do you like the ending? If you were the author, would you end the story differently?