Resources: Freedom To Read Week (February 18-24, 2024): General

General Resources

Did you know that there are two different weeks dedicated to the freedom to read?

"Freedom to Read Week" is an annual event (during the last week in February) that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed them under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"Banned Books Week" is an annual event (during the last week in September) celebrating the freedom to read in America, but has been adopted world wide. It spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.

15 Frequently Banned & Challenged Books
A list by Penguin/Random House Publishers of the most challenged and banned books by Canadian authors.
American Library Association: Banned Books Week
Find out more about the American counterpart of Freedom to Read Week!
Banned and Challenged Picture Books
Explore this list of challenged and sometimes banned picture books compiled by Edmonton Public Library. (you have to scroll down)
Banned Books Week: Website
Stay up to date on "Banned Books Week" through their website.
The Canadian Children's Book Centre: Challenged Books
If you're looking to read some Canadian challenged children's books, look no further!
Challenged Works List
Take a look at Canada's "challenged works list" and find out why certain books have been challenged in the past, as well as any updates on the challenge.
Controversial and Banned Books
What do the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, James and the Giant Peach, and The Bell Jar have in common? They are all famous books that have been censored, banned, or challenged at one point.
Freedom to Read Week (February18-24)
Want to learn more about Freedom to Read Week? Stay up to date on events and updates? This is the place to check out!
Izzit: Banned Books – Censored in School
Do you have the right to read anything and everything? Explore these concepts along with the Pico v. Island Trees School District (1982), a US Supreme Court case, which established that books cannot be removed from schools simply because people disagree with the ideas within them or find them offensive.
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021
A list from Edmonton Public Library of the 10 books that were the most challenged (that means they were requested to be removed from library collections).