Books & Audiobooks
Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. It reminds us that the freedom to explore new ideas and different perspectives is an essential human right.
Many books are challenged and/or banned for a variety of reasons – read more about some of them below, and learn more about challenged books in Canada on the Freedom to Read Week website.
In recognition of Freedom to Read Week, join us for So That Democracy is Possible: Libraries & Civic Literacy, a panel discussion; find event details below.
So That Democracy is Possible: Libraries & Civic Literacy
Freedom to Read Week Panel
Thursday, February 27
7:00 to 8:00 pm
Main Library
In this panel in recognition of Freedom to Read Week, members of Waterloo Public Library, University of Waterloo Library, and Wilfred Laurier University Library will discuss the role that libraries play in fostering community wellbeing, and as safeguards of democracy through upholding a right to access information. How can libraries continue to cultivate this and other civic literacies? Join us to find out more, and ask our panelists questions of your own.
Event DetailsBanned or Challenged Books
The Golden Compass
by Philip Pullman
This book was removed from library shelves in Halton, ON for being written by an atheist and being anti-God, anti-Catholic and anti-religion. The book was also challenged in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School District in Mississauga and a sticker was placed inside which stated its depictions of the church are not reflective of the real Roman Catholic Church.
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Heartstopper
by Alice Oseman
A parent in Mississippi shared concerns about the books due to its apparent depiction of sexual situations between two teenage boys, and the books were temporarily removed from shelves.
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When Aidan Became a Brother
by Kyle Lukoff
Many groups have objected to the depiction of a transgender character in this book.
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Pride Colors
by Robin Stevenson
This book was banned in Virginia in 2023 for being “sexually explicit” and “inappropriate for all children.” One group actually held a book-banning gathering, offering beer and babysitting so folks could join together to fill in book challenge forms, demanding that their town’s public library remove more than 130 children’s books with LGBTQ+ content, including Pride Colors.
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Snow Falling on Cedars
by David Guterson
In 2006, an Ontario school board removed this book from a Grade 11 English course due to an anonymous complaint about its sexual content. The book was later reinstated in 2007 after a lengthy committee review.
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Salma Writes a Book
by Danny Ramadan
This book, which follows a young immigrant’s story and includes a gay character, was restricted in Waterloo Catholic school libraries in 2023. Students had to specifically request it and a librarian or teacher was required to provide “a Catholic understanding” of the book before granting the request.
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