Checklist for School Media Advisory Committee's Reconsideration of Library Materials; Fiction and Other Literary Forms
Title of Book ________________________________________________________
Author _______________________________________________________
A. PURPOSE
1. What is the purpose, theme or message of the material? How well does the author/producer/composer accomplish this purpose?
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2. If the story is fantasy, is it the type that has imaginative appeal and is suitable for children? ( ) Yes ( ) No; for young adults? ( ) Yes ( ) No. If both are marked no, for what age group would you recommend? ____________________
3. Will the reading and/or viewing and/or listening to material result in more compassionate understanding of human beings? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
4. Does it offer an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the aspirations, achievements, and problems of various groups of people? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
5. Are the challenged elements of the story an integral part of the materials? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
B. CONTENT
1. Does the material give a realistic picture of life at that time period? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
2. When factual information is part of the story, is it presented accurately? ( )Yes ( ) No.
3. If there is bias, can it be identified by the intended user?
( ) Yes ( ) No. Does this bias detract from the usefulness of the material? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
4. Are concepts presented appropriate to the ability and maturity of the intended users? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
5. Do characters speak in a language true to the period and section of the country in which they live? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
6. Does the material offend in some special way the sensibilities of any group? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
7. Is there preoccupation with sex, violence, cruelty, brutality, and aberrant behavior that would make this material inappropriate for children? ( ) Yes ( ) No;
young adults? ( ) Yes ( ) No.8. If there is use of offensive language, is it appropriate to the purpose of the text for children? ( ) Yes ( ) No; for young adults? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
9. Is the material free from derisive names and epithets that would be offensive? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
10. Is the material well written or produced? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
11. Does the material give a broader understanding of human behavior without stressing differences of class, race, color, sex, education, religion or philosophy in any adverse way?
( ) Yes ( ) No.12. Does the material make a significant contribution to the history of literature or ideas? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
13. Are the illustrations appropriate and in good taste? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
14. Are the illustrations realistic in relation to the story? ( ) Yes ( ) No.
C. REVIEWS
1. Source of review _____________________________________
Favorable review __________ Unfavorable review __________
2. Does this title appear in one or more reputable selection aids? ( ) Yes ( ) No. If answer is yes, please list titles of selection aids.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
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RECOMMENDATION BY SCHOOL MEDIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR TREATMENT OF CHALLENGED MATERIALS
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Date ______________________
SIGNATURE OF MEDIA ADVISORY REVIEW COMMITTEE
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