Close Reading of Fiction: Inquiry Question

Inquiry Question: Why might the text be challenged or banned from school? What parts might be seen as inappropriate, controversial, and objectionable?

In your books, look for actions that are violent or controversial, offensive language, sexism, racism and other social issues, language/word choice, how certain time period or characters are portrayed, manners, tone of characters, the themes or messages promoted, drugs.

“Am I Blue?” by Bruce Coville

805

Examples	Reason	Your opinion/interpretation
“You little fruit,” [Butch] snarled. “I’ll teach you to look at me!” (3) “With Butch and his crowd already calling me ‘faggot’ and ‘fruit,’ walking around with a guy who moved the way Melvin did wasn’t going to do anything to improve the situation” (5). the word “faggot”: ‘We’ll teach you, faggot!’ (7) “My friends and I called each other ‘faggot’ and ‘queer’ for the same reason so many black folks call each other ‘nigger’...” (10)	This is a homophobic slur or insult and some parents might not want their kids reading this and thinking that it is right to use words like this. The characters use these words casually which might send the wrong message. The text might show that using the word “faggot” can be redefined and used in a positive sense, thus encouraging use of the word. This connection might not be true. This might offend blacks because the word “nigger” is used here and there is a lot of history and racist connotations behind this word. This is also a stereotype which may not be true.	younger readers/elementary school students would not be able to understand the context but middle students can - but who can? at what age can you read this text? readers would confront this language in the real world;   many kids have experience and/or knowledge about homosexuality by the time they are 13 reading about these words is educational because the text teaches readers that insulting people this way is wrong; the message conveyed is positive and encourages acceptance; the text has a positive impact on readers Butch is the antagonist and the text shows how his actions are wrong; we see how his words affect and victimize Vince and presents it in an understandable way
“I gave my life to be able to walk like that…” (5)	Melvin is portrayed as a stereotypical gay person - he is flamboyant, walks all “swishy” This might perpetuate the stereotype. People who are gay may find this offensive because of how homosexuals are portrayed.	Melvin embraces this “stereotype” to show that he won’t be offended by others’ insults. However, the ending of the story breaks this stereotype. People assume you are gay for all the wrong reasons (13) People might be offended by this but in reality there are different ways that gays behave or act. There is no one way and it is acceptable to be feminine like Melvin.

Inquiry Question: Why might the text be challenged or banned from school? What parts might be seen as inappropriate, controversial, and objectionable? Do you agree/disagree? How can you justify and support that the book should remain in our curriculum and school?

First answer this question for “Am I Blue?” by Bruce Coville then create a synthesis page in your book clubs on this same question.

Look for actions that are violent or controversial, offensive language, sexism, racism and other social issues, language/word choice, how the time period or characters are portrayed, manners, tone of characters, the themes or messages promoted, inappropriate content such as drugs and sex.

Consider how the author deals with these issues and how readers might be affected. Connect different parts of the text and include more than 1 example for each reason.

“Am I Blue?” by Bruce Coville

811

Examples	Reason (why might parents, administrators, and other adults object to this part of the text and use this as a reason to ban it?)	Your opinion/interpretation (do you agree/disagree that the text should be banned for these reasons? why/why not?)
“With Butch and his crowd already calling me ‘faggot’ and ‘fruit’, walking around with a guy who moved the way Melvin did wasn’t going to do anything to improve the situation” (5). Melvin was dragged into an alley and a few men shouted: ‘We’ll teach you, faggot!’ (7) “My friends and I called each other ‘faggot’ and ‘queer for the same reason so many black folks call each other ‘nigger’ (10)	There are derogatory words and parents might oppose use of these words (ex. faggot) in school. They might fear that kids will imitate this behavior and repeat these words. The way Butch treats Vince, insults and physically abuses him, is a bad example for kids to see.  If students see this in a text in school, they might be encourage to speak this way. This is very violent part and might emotionally disturb readers. Parents may not want their students knowing about homosexuality and this text contradicts that. The text doesn’t teach about bullying in a positive way. If readers are questioning their identities, they might become more afraid to be open about their sexuality.	While there are many insults, the overall message is to accept your sexuality no matter what, and this message has a positive impact on young readers. The text shows that the word ‘faggot’ is not always used in a negative way. Parents cannot shelter or hide young people from the reality that people do bully others because of their sexuality. The text shows how people being bullied in this way are affected. The message shows acceptance; however, elementary students probably are not old enough to read this. Readers need some level of maturity to understand this topic. Most texts have antagonists and Butch is one. In reality, there are people who are mean. This text shows you one way to deal with mean people. At the end, Butch is also blue which shows that sometimes people act violently to hide their insecurities. The text allows you to have empathy for Butch. Teens are at the right age to be reading this because this is a time they are questioning and discovering their sexualities.

“Am I Blue?” by Bruce Coville 807

Inquiry Question: Why might the text be challenged or banned from school? What parts might be seen as inappropriate, controversial, and objectionable? Do you agree/disagree? How can you justify and support that the book should remain in our curriculum and school?

Answer this question for “Am I Blue?” by Bruce Coville. Look for actions that are violent or controversial, offensive language, sexism, racism and other social issues, language/word choice, how the time period or characters are portrayed, manners, tone of characters, the themes or messages promoted, possibly inappropriate content such as drugs and sex. Consider how the author deals with these issues and how readers might be affected. Connect different parts of the text and include more than 1 example for each reason. Include at least 3 reasons.

Examples (quotation + pg #)	Reason (why might parents, administrators, and other adults object to this part of the text and use this as a reason to ban it?)	Your opinion/interpretation (Do you agree/disagree that the text should be banned for these reasons? Why/why not? Give at least 2 reasons.)
	There are derogatory words and parents might oppose use of these words in school. They might fear that kids will imitate this behavior and repeat these words.
	Some parents believe homosexuality is an inappropriate topic for middle school students. .

Book Club Assignment: Answer the above inquiry question by creating an individual synthesis page to record and organize your response. Have each member of your group write about a different reason, evidence, and interpretation on a separate sheet of paper. This could be done as a web or chart. Finally, include a conclusion.  

HW: Finish your individual synthesis pages for homework.