1312/6161.12 Form #1

Checklist for School Media Advisory Committee's Reconsideration of Instructional
Material - Fiction and Other Literary Forms (sample)

Title ____________________________________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 minority groups? ___Yes ___No

5.  Are any questionable elements of the story an integral part of a worthwhile theme or message? ___Yes ___No

B.  Content

1.  Does a story about modern times give a realistic picture of life as it is now?

___Yes ___No

2.  Does the story avoid an oversimplified view of life, one which leaves the reader with the general feeling that life is sweet and rosy or ugly and meaningless?

___Yes ___No

3.  When factual information is part of the story, is it presented accurately? ___Yes ___No

4.  Is prejudicial appeal readily identifiable by the potential reader? ___Yes ___No

5.  Are concepts presented appropriate to the ability and maturity of the potential readers? ___Yes ___No

6.  Do the characters speak in a language true to the period and section of the country in which they live? ___Yes ___No

7.  Does the material offend in some special way the sensibilities of women or a minority group by the way it presents either the chief character or any of the minor characters? ___Yes ___No

8.  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

9.  If there is use of offensive language, is it appropriate to the purpose of the text for children? ___Yes ___No; young adults? ___Yes ___No

10.  Is the material free from derisive names and epithets that would offend minority groups? ___Yes ___No; children? ___Yes ___No; young adults? ___Yes ___No

11.  Is the material well written or produced? ___Yes ___No

12.  Does the story 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

13.  Does the material make a significant contribution to the history of literature or ideas? ___Yes ___No

14.  Are the illustration appropriate and in good taste? ___Yes ___No

15.  Are the illustrations realistic in relation to the story? ___Yes ___No

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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