September 2007

Educators, welcome to our collection of SIRS® Challenge Quests! Students can view this month's quests, and last month's answers, inside your SIRS subscription(s) during the third week of the new month.

We recommend that you send students to the online version of these activities to give them a chance to find the answers on their own. You may save this email for your personal use as an answer key. To access these activities via your SIRS subscription, click on Suggested Research Topics under Database Features.

SIRS Discoverer®

Banning books in schools is a controversial topic. Some school officials and educators challenge or remove books that they feel are offensive or inappropriate. Others believe that schools should teach students about the sensitive topics found in these books.

Can you name two of the five most-challenged books of 2000 through 2005, according to the American Library Association?

Answer Pathfinder

Subject Heading(s): Prohibited books

Keywords: "American Library Association" (by relevance or date); "challenged books" (by relevance or date)

Topic Browse Path: ARTS: Literature

Article(s) | Site(s):
"Books on the Hook," Current Events, March 5, 2007

Answer: The five most-challenged books of 2000 through 2005 were J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series; Robert Cormier's "The Chocolate War"; Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's "Alice" series; John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men"; and Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

Tap into everything your subscription has to offer by logging on to SIRS Discoverer®.

---

SIRS Knowledge Source®

In 1973, the United States discontinued its military draft and instituted the All-Volunteer Force (AVF). However, a government program had been established in 1940 that availed manpower to the armed forces in case of an emergency.

This program mandates that all male citizens and residents, aged 18 through 26, register with the U.S. government.

What is the name of this program?

A. Alternative Service Program
B. Federal Register
C. Reserve Officers Training Corps
D. Selective Service

Article(s) | Site(s):
"Uncle Sam Hustles to Keep the Ranks Filled," NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER, March 21, 2003

Answer: D. Selective Service

Find out more! Dive into this topic by logging on to
SIRS Knowledge Source®.

---