Freedom to Read 2023: We Are A Book SanctuaryLike this list

22 items

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

  Twain, Mark, 1835-1910

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  Published in 1884, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is considered an American classic, despite long-standing challenges. In 1905, it was banned from Brooklyn Public Library for use of the word “sweat.” Racist terms appear frequently throughout…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Great Bear

  Robertson, David, 1977-

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  Despite accolades and success, there have been multiple challenges to David A. Robertson’s books. There was a well-publicized removal of "The Great Bear" from an Ontario school district and "7 Generations" was listed on a “Not Recommended” book list…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• All Boys Aren't Blue

  a Memoir-manifesto

  Johnson, George M. (George Matthew), 1985-

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  "All Boys Aren’t Blue" has been questioned for its focus on 2SLGBTQ+ characters. This essay collection has also been at the centre of a debate in Canada about the involvement of school boards in setting curriculum. A school board in British Columbia…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Court of Mist and Fury

  Maas, Sarah J.,

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  Concerns have been raised about this book’s sexual content. Earlier this year, a Virginia senator tried unsuccessfully to sue the bookseller Barnes and Noble to prevent the book being sold to minors. This series is intended for adults, though a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

  a Novel

  Andrews, Jesse,

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  Though published in 2012, "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" was included on American Library Association’s list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books in 2021. The flurry of new challenges may have been sparked by a recent challenge from a state…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• I'm Afraid of Men

  Shraya, Vivek, 1981-

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  Vivek Shraya is a celebrated author; she is also a trans woman of colour, and that tends to be how she is defined. Unlike many American writers of colour or 2SLGBTQ+ authors, Shraya has enjoyed a relatively uncensored career in Canada. However,…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

  Rowling, J. K.

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  In the 25 years since the first "Harry Potter" book was published, there have been many attempts to remove the series from school and library collections. Most complaints have focused on the glorification of magic and witchcraft throughout the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Handmaid's Tale

  Atwood, Margaret, 1939-

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  "The Handmaid’s Tale" has faced many challenges since it was published in 1985. Concerns over the title continue, mostly related to its sexual content. In 2022, a fireproof version of the book was created in response to the idea of burning books…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Sex Is a Funny Word

  a Book About Bodies, Feelings, and You

  Silverberg, Cory,

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  This educational book intended for ages 6 – 8 was challenged for fear that it would promote inappropriate thoughts and behaviours in children. Professional reviews note the book’s focus on feelings and independent thought and specify that the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• We Are the Ants

  Hutchinson, Shaun David,

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  Though many books receive formal and informal challenges, few are actually removed from schools or libraries. "We Are the Ants" was one of only three books officially banned in a north Texas school system as part of a request to remove dozens of…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• This One Summer

  Tamaki, Mariko,

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  "This One Summer" was the number one most banned book in 2016 according to the American Library Association. "This One Summer" was promoted by the publisher as being suitable for audiences ages 12 and older, but some parents and educators thought it…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Satanic Verses

  a Novel

  Rushdie, Salman

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  Because of its representation of Islam, "The Satanic Verses" led to a fatwa from the Ayatollah of Iran, calling for the murder of Salman Rushdie, his editors, and publishers. Rushdie was forced into hiding for several years, during which there were…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• More Happy Than Not

  [a Novel]

  Silvera, Adam, 1990-

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  Despite only being checked out once across an American school district, concerns were raised over this title's sexual content, violence, drug use, and promiscuity. Only one school board member had concerns with "More Happy Than Not." A local…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Breakaways

  Johnson, Cathy G.,

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  "The Breakaways" has frequently been challenged in America due to sexual content, though it only contains a single kiss. One of the characters in the book is a trans boy, though. Laws in Florida and parts of Texas restrict access to books with…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Persepolis

  [the Story of a Childhood]

  Satrapi, Marjane, 1969-

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  "Persepolis" describes Marjane Satrapi's life during the Iranian revolution and her struggles living in France afterward. Released to widespread acclaim, it was challenged ten years later in Chicago due to graphic content. Students protested, saying…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Maus

  a Survivor's Tale

  Spiegelman, Art

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  "Maus" is the story of the Holocaust told graphically with mice as prisoners and cats as Nazis. Like many books included here, "Maus" has faced challenges since it was published. Most recently, it was removed from the middle school curriculum of a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• This Book Is Gay

  Dawson, Juno (Young adult fiction writer),

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  Juno Dawson wrote "This Book Is Gay" as a reference manual to support young adults learning about sexuality and gender. It has been a target for restricted access in America since it was published, and last year it was ninth on the American Library…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• When Everything Feels Like the Movies

  Reid, Raziel, 1990-

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  Despite winning the prestigious Canadian Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature in 2014, public reception of "When Everything Feels Like the Movies" was not universally positive. Concerns were raised related to both graphic and sexual…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• How to Be An Antiracist

  Kendi, Ibram X.,

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  The success of "How to be an Antiracist" led to the creation of three other books, including "Antiracist Baby." Critics have argued that Ibram X. Kendi’s books focus on the history of Black Americans and exclude others, promoting Critical Race…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Sandman, [Vol.] 01

  Preludes & Nocturnes

  Gaiman, Neil,

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  Neil Gaiman’s "Sandman" books have been popular since they were first released in 1989 and were recently adapted for TV. The series has faced challenges since publication, for reasons ranging from violence to having 2SLGBTQ+ characters. In 2015, a…Read moreRead more of this annotation