Presents four essays that discuss (1) the continued apathy of many English teachers toward censorship of textbooks, (2) the tenuous commitment of the general public to the First Amendment rights of speech and assembly, (3) feminists as censors, and (4) the tendency of conflicts between censors and anticensors to be dominated by the extremes. (RBW)

Surveys the textbook censorship picture over the past decade with particular attention to the activities of Tim LaHaye and Norma and Mel Gabler. Suggests 10 steps teachers can take to try and protect controversial texts from censorship. (RBW)

Offers a rationale that can be used to defend the assignment of Alice Walker's controversial novel for class reading. Indicates four issues that might evoke calls for censorship: (1) subject matter, (2) vocabulary, (3) grammar, and (4) the epistolary form of the work. (RBW)

Explores the possibility that combining conflict management and English content, particularly short stories, can help young people develop more effective cognitive skills. Proposes a unit that begins with journal writing and general discussion of conflicts (including a description of three styles with which people manage conflict) and moves on to…

Describes a technique for defusing protests against books assigned as classroom reading. Demonstrates how to justify a modern book by comparing it to books of the past. (RBW)