Celebrate Freedom to Read Week at the Library

Every year, Freedom to Read Week is a time to celebrate and defend our right to read, think, and access information freely. From February 23 to March 1, 2025, libraries, schools, and book lovers across Canada come together to highlight the importance of intellectual freedom and challenge censorship.

At the Peterborough Public Library, we believe that everyone should have the right to explore different ideas, perspectives, and voices without restriction. That is why we are excited to take part in this important week and invite you to do the same.

What is Freedom to Read Week?

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and stand up for their right to read. It is organized by the Book and Periodical Council and aims to raise awareness about censorship, book challenges, and intellectual freedom.

Books are challenged and banned for many reasons, from controversial themes to political perspectives. Even well-loved classics have been removed from schools and libraries over the years. Freedom to Read Week is a reminder that everyone should have the opportunity to choose what they read and to access a wide range of ideas.

You can learn more about the history of Freedom to Read Week and why it matters by visiting the official Freedom to Read website.

Join Us for a Creative Space Event

Creative Space: Freedom to Read Buttons
Sunday, February 23, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

As part of Freedom to Read Week, we are hosting a drop-in event where you can create your own button to celebrate the right to read!

Design a button that reflects what reading means to you, highlight a favourite book, or create a message about the importance of intellectual freedom. It is a fun way to express yourself and take part in the conversation.

No registration is required, so stop by and get creative!

Bonus Badge Alert! If you are participating in the 2025 Reading Challenge, attending this event will earn you a special Bonus Badge in Beanstack. Be sure to log your participation!

Books That Have Been Challenged or Banned

Throughout history, many books have faced challenges or bans. Some of these books have shaped literature, sparked important discussions, and provided readers with meaningful perspectives.

Classics That Have Been Banned or Challenged

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• 1984 by George Orwell
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• The Diviners by Margaret Laurence
• The Wars by Timothy Findley
• Lives of Girls and Women by Alice Munro

Books by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Authors That Have Been Challenged

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
• Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
• All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
• This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
• I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
• Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
• The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
• Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
• Kiss of the Fur Queen by Tomson Highway
• Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

Books for Young Readers That Have Been Challenged

• Drama by Raina Telgemeier
• And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
• Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
• The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
• Who Has Seen the Wind by W.O. Mitchell
• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Many of these books were challenged because of their themes, characters, or ideas, yet they remain beloved by readers of all ages.

Why Freedom to Read Week Matters

Censorship can take many forms, from removing books from schools and libraries to limiting access to materials based on content. Freedom to Read Week is a chance to remind ourselves that access to information is a fundamental right.

At the library, we are committed to ensuring that everyone can read, learn, and think for themselves. This means offering a collection that reflects diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences. By participating in Freedom to Read Week, you help to support intellectual freedom and the right to explore new ideas without barriers.

Learn More and Get Involved

If you want to learn more about banned and challenged books, check out these Canadian resources:

• Freedom to Read: Challenged Works Database
• The Canadian Library Challenges Database
• Canadian Federation of Library Associations Statement on Intellectual Freedom

Join us in celebrating the right to read and the freedom to choose what you read. Whether you pick up a frequently challenged book, create a button at our event, or simply explore new ideas, you are supporting intellectual freedom.

Let’s keep the conversation going and celebrate the power of books together.